WGME 13 :: News - Top Stories - Tractor-trailer explodes at turnpike plaza, driver pulled from vehicle

Tractor-trailer explodes at turnpike plaza, driver pulled from vehicle

KENNEBUNK (WGME) -- Update 11:11pm: State Police say two tractor trailers were destroyed after one slammed into the other at the Kennebunk rest area on the Maine Turnpike. The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, causing one of the trucks to burst into flames.

Troopers say the driver of one of the trucks, 78-year-old Don Johnson of East Corinth might have suffered a diabetic seizure as he was driving into the plaza, and slammed his truck into another vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle, 58-year-old Myles Whynot of New Brunswick suffered no more than cuts and bruises. Both men were taken to the hospital in Biddeford. Johnson's dog did not survive the explosion.

The crash caused the fuel tanks of Johnson's truck to rupture, igniting the fuel.

The Maine Turnpike Authority says at 8:50 p.m., the fire was under control and almost extinguished.

A picture sent to us from News 13 viewer Kyle Labrecque shows fire streaking across the parking lot. Labrecque says he and a few others pulled the driver out of the truck.

The plaza and turnpike remained open while crews worked on the fire in the parking lot.Tractor-trailer explodes at turnpike plaza, driver pulled from vehicle

Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:46 PM EST

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