Semi-truck catches on fire after crash on Florida highway

(Pasco County Fire Rescue)

A semi-truck struck a barrier on a Florida highway Friday evening before exploding and catching on fire.

Smoke billowed over 1-75 in Pasco County as local fire and rescue squads battled the fire for several hours, Fox 13 reported.

Police said the truck driver was seriously injured with burns covering more than 40 percent of his body. The driver was airlifted to a trauma center.

The crash prompted crews to shut down the northbound lanes for several hours as the roadway needed to be repaved due to the damage from the fire.

All lanes were reopened early Saturday morning.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no other injuries were reported. Police said it’s unclear what caused the driver to crash.