Police have identified the driver killed when his tractor-trailer crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames shortly after midnight today.
The driver was Gerry Dale Adams, 60, of Lakeland. His nephew, who came to the scene after the crash, told Florida Department of Transportation investigators that Adams was following another truck when he radioed to say he was feeling ill and was going to pull over. The tractor-trailer crashed into a light pole at East Trapnell Road and James L. Redman Parkway, also known as State Road 39.
A man who lives nearby told investigators he heard two explosions. The cab of the truck was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
The wife of Adams' nephew said Adams had a history of heart problems.
Plant City police Sgt. Dale Peterson said he was part of a three-truck caravan hauling materials for Marki Transportation of Zephyrhills.
His truck was carrying fertilizer, Round-up and soil but the cargo did not burn as the fire was contained to the cab, Peterson said.
Petersen said it appears that when the trucker pulled his truck off the parkway, his trailer hit a concrete stormwater culvert and the rig rolled over on its right side.
Plant City Fire Rescue Operations Chief Gene Shuler said crews bought the fire with foam. The cause of the fire is under investigation, he said.
The southbound lanes of the James L. Redman Parkway were closed from Charlie Griffin Road to Trapnell Road for six hours. One southbound lane reopened about 6:30 a.m. All northbound lanes are open.
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