Police Identify Victim In Fiery Wilson Bridge Crash

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- A New Jersey man has been identified as the tractor trailer driver who died in a fiery crash on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge last week.

The Maryland State Police say 60-year-old Rodell Jones of Bordentown, N.J., was pronounced dead at the scene, and he was identified by the medical examiner through dental record comparison, according to an MSP statement.

Jones was driving a JB Hunt Transport, Inc. tractor trailer -- which did not have any cargo at the time -- at around 11 a.m. on June 20 when he "entered a properly marked work zone along the left shoulder of the northbound through lanes of I-95-495 on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge," the statement reads. Police say they do not know yet why he drove into the work zone.

The tractor trailer struck a 2009 International crash attenuator truck and then hit a 2016 Kenworth bucket truck, bursting into flames, police say.

Three bridge workers were suspended over the side of the bridge in the bucket when the crash happened, and they had to be rescued by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and lowered into a boat manned by members of the Prince George's County Police Department.

A 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickup also caught fire after the crash. Police believe the truck, which belonged to a member of the bridge crew and was parked a short distance away, was not struck by any vehicles but caught fire due to the fire spreading.

Authorities are still investigating.

Image via Maryland Department of Transportation