Tractor Trailer Fire Shuts Down I-20 Westbound Near Airline

A  tractor-trailer fire around midnight last night, caused major congestion, for Tuesday morning commuters. 

According to Traci Landry, with the Bossier City Police Department, around 12:08 a.m. September 17, 2019, Bossier City police officers and firefighters responded to I-20 westbound overpass just west of Airline Drive in reference to a semi-tractor trailer fire. The truck was engulfed in flames. The driver was able to exit the vehicle unharmed. Bossier City Police and Louisiana State Police shut down I-20 westbound at I-220 while firefighters quickly got the fire under control. Louisiana DOTD provided a sand truck to be used as needed.

The westbound lanes were closed and remained closed into the morning. The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office is assisting with the closure. Traffic being detoured, caused backup along Hwy 80 in Haughton, as normal morning commuters, faced the added traffic being diverted. 

The preliminary investigation indicates that the truck was traveling west on I-20 when the driver left the roadway, hit a guardrail, and then struck the opposite concrete guardrail on the overpass before coming to a rest. The investigation is ongoing.         

As of 9:30 a.m., crews were still assisting in getting the westbound lane of I-20 back open.