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Interstate 10 In Phoenix Partially Reopens After Fiery Semi Crash

Interstate 10 westbound has partially reopened between State Route 143 and 40th Street in Phoenix after a semi fire stopped traffic Friday morning, causing major delays.

The HOV and inside lane of traffic are still closed in the area, but all the other lanes are open. Eastbound I-10 has also completely reopened. 

In a statement, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said the driver of the commercial vehicle lost control around 9:30 a.m. and collided into the concrete barrier dividing the freeway. The cab of the truck went over the barrier and into the eastbound lanes, while the trailer remained on the westbound side. 

"The truck went to the left, struck the center median concrete barrier," said Quentin Mehr with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. "The truck rode up onto the barrier and rode along the barrier til it hit a sign post where it came to a stop and the truck caught on fire.”

Both the driver and his passenger escaped without injury.

Both directions were closed to give fire crews access to put out the fire.

Mehr said Friday afternoon traffic is still going to be heavy while cleanup continues, and drivers should take alternate routes if possible. Drivers can return to the I-10 via the westbound Red Mountain 202.

KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.