Walmart truck involved in fiery crash that closed I-77 lanes for hours, retailer says
A Walmart truck was involved in a fiery crash on Interstate 77 near uptown Charlotte on Tuesday morning, the retailer confirmed.
The wreck closed a northbound lane and the collector lanes near Freedom Drive and Interstate 277 until about 6 p.m.
“One of our trucks was involved in a one vehicle accident,” Walmart said in statement emailed to The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday. “Our thoughts are with our associate as he is receiving medical attention and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Curtis Wesley Lyons was the driver involved in the crash that resulted in the tractor-trailer bursting into flames, N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Ray Pierce said.
Lyons drove off the right shoulder of the northbound lanes for an unknown reason and struck a concrete barrier, causing the truck to catch fire, Pierce told WSOC. Only the truck was involved in the crash, he said.
Paramedics treated Lyons at the scene for life-threatening injuries and took him to a hospital, Medic said on Twitter. He is expected to be OK, WBTV reported.
Troopers said Lyons was cited for failure to maintain lane, WSOC reported.
The tractor-trailer was carrying beef and produce.
This story was originally published August 17, 2022 at 12:32 PM.
