JOHNSTON COUNTY - Over 30 fire units responded after a fully loaded tanker truck overturned twice upon entering northbound I-95 from US-70 near Selma. The critically injured driver, uncle of Smithfield EMS Chief Bill Langston and Johnston County Paramedic Lisa Langston, later died after being flown from Johnston Memorial Hospital to the UNC Burn Center.
Smoke from the approximately 10:16 a.m. accident could be seen from miles away. Interstate 95 was closed in both directions and caused major traffic delays for approximately 10 hours.
After extinguishing flames around the burning vehicle, firefighters allowed the rest of the 9000 gallons of gasoline to burn itself out. Department of Transportation workers resurfaced and reopened the northbound lanes within 24 hours.
Responding agencies included Selma Volunteer Fire Department, Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department, Smithfield Fire Department, Wilson's Mills Fire Department, Thanksgiving Volunteer Fire Department, Micro Volunteer Fire Department, Selma EMS, North Johnston EMS, along with haz-mat teams from other counties.
