Hart County still trying to identify driver of 18-wheeler fatally injured last week

Hart County Coroner Mike Adams says it will still be some time before the identity of the man who died in Wednesday night’s truck fire on 85 is released.

Adams tells WNEG News they do think, however, that they know who the victim was.

The body of the driver has been sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy but because of the condition of the body, Adams said they will likely have to use dental records for confirmation.

Until then, his name will not be released.

At about 5p Wednesday evening, 911 received a call regarding a tractor-trailer that had run off the road just south of the 177 on-ramp and burst into flames.

Firefighters from Lavonia, Hart County, Line, and other area fire departments were called to the scene along with EMS, fire rescue trucks, and crews with the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Additionally, water trucks had to be brought in to fight the blaze and according to Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland, flames from the fire were so hot several firefighters fell out from heat exhaustion and had to be revived by EMTs.

Cleveland said Wednesday night it’s not clear why the truck ran off the road.

Fire crews worked to put out the fire until late Wednesday night so they could get to the driver’s body.

Traffic on 85 southbound was down to one lane for hours backing up into South Carolina.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you any new information as it becomes available.