Walmart truck involved in fiery crash that closed I-77 lanes for hours, retailer says

A Walmart truck was involved in a fiery crash on Interstate 77 near uptown Charlotte on Tuesday morning, the retailer confirmed.

The wreck closed a northbound lane and the collector lanes near Freedom Drive and Interstate 277 until about 6 p.m.

“One of our trucks was involved in a one vehicle accident,” Walmart said in statement emailed to The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday. “Our thoughts are with our associate as he is receiving medical attention and wish him a speedy recovery.”

In this image from Charlotte Fire Department video, flames engulf a vehicle on Interstate 77 near Freedom Drive just outside of uptown Charlotte, NC, on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022.
In this image from Charlotte Fire Department video, flames engulf a vehicle on Interstate 77 near Freedom Drive just outside of uptown Charlotte, NC, on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022.

Curtis Wesley Lyons was the driver involved in the crash that resulted in the tractor-trailer bursting into flames, N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Ray Pierce said.

Lyons drove off the right shoulder of the northbound lanes for an unknown reason and struck a concrete barrier, causing the truck to catch fire, Pierce told WSOC. Only the truck was involved in the crash, he said.

Paramedics treated Lyons at the scene for life-threatening injuries and took him to a hospital, Medic said on Twitter. He is expected to be OK, WBTV reported.

Troopers said Lyons was cited for failure to maintain lane, WSOC reported.

The tractor-trailer was carrying beef and produce.