Driver Lost Consciousness Before Fiery Truck Crash: Police

EMERSON, GA -- A truck driver's medical condition possibly caused him to lose consciousness and crash a tractor trailer along Interstate 75 in Bartow County.

That's according to Emerson Police Chief Stan Bradley, who said his agency responded to the crash around 9:07 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 near the Red Top Mountain Road interchange on the southbound side of the interstate.

Officers arrived on the scene to find the tractor trailer in the median of the interstate.

"The apparent cause of the accident was due to the driver losing consciousness due to an underlying medical issue," Bradley said.

The truck left the roadway, struck an overhead pole sign and "burst into flames," the chief added. The motorist was removed from the truck by other drivers before emergency crews arrived.

The man was transported by air ambulance to Grady Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries connected to his medical condition and not the accident, Bradley said.

The interstate was temporarily shut down while fire crews worked to put out the truck fire. No other vehicles were involved in the collision, the chief stated.

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