Interstate 95 closed by head-on tractor-trailer crash, 2 killed

LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — Two drivers were killed this morning when their tractor-trailers crashed head-on on Interstate 95 near Lumberton.

Authorities say the road is under construction, and a tractor-trailer carrying cardboard smashed into a cement barrier in the median and hit a tanker carrying formaldehyde.

Sergeant Joel Siles of the state Highway Patrol says a hazardous materials team is trying to safely remove the tanker from the roadway.

Traffic in both directions is being rerouted around the accident scene.

Authorities have identified the driver of the tanker as 69-year-old Jesse Torrance of Hope Mills. The name of the other driver wasn’t immediately released.

Authorities are trying to have the interstate ready to reopen this afternoon.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)