Section of I-10 could take 2 days to reopen after deadly, fiery semi crash near Willcox

WILLCOX, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — ADOT says it could take 48 hours to reopen westbound lanes of Interstate 10 after a fiery crash killed a truck driver and caused a significant closure from Willcox to the New Mexico state line.

The crash happened just after midnight Wednesday on I-10 at milepost 331 near Willcox. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a semi ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, and then collided with a pillar at the State Route 191 overpass. One pillar buckled and the truck caught fire. The driver was killed. Their name has not yet been released. DPS officials later confirmed that no hazardous materials were being transported.

As of 2:03 p.m., the westbound lanes of I-10 remain closed at the New Mexico state line. The Arizona Department of Transportation suggests drivers take the following detours:

Eastbound I-10 is open through the area.

Westbound I-10 traffic is detouring:

• South and east on State Route 80 from Roadforks, New Mexico, to US 191 in Douglas
  
• North on US 191 north to Davis Road in McNeal
  
• West on Davis Road to SR 80
  
• North SR 80 through Tombstone to SR 82
  
• West on SR 82 to SR 90 in Whetstone
  
• North on SR 90 to I-10 Benson
  

At this time, ADOT engineers say it could take up to two days to reopen as the bridge suffered extensive damage. A third-party construction company will start repairs Wednesday afternoon and ADOT says they will work “around the clock” until the westbound freeway is safe to reopen.

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