The southbound lanes of I-55 in Arnold have reopened, but the northbound lanes were still closed at 5:15 p.m., following a fatal accident at about 1:30 p.m. today (June 19) involving two tractor-trailers, said Ron Harder, spokesman for Rock Community Fire Protection District.
He said one of the tractor-trailers rear-ended the other one on northbound I-55 just south of Hwy. 141 and both vehicles caught fire.
Harder said one of the drivers died.
He said it’s possible traffic congestion following another incident on I-55 near Butler Hill in south St. Louis County contributed to the Arnold accident
In the St. Louis County incident, which occurred about noon, a separate tractor-trailer containing hazardous materials caught fire, Harder said.
He said I-55 between I-270 and Meramec Bottom Road in St. Louis County was still closed at 5:15 p.m.
After the tractor-trailer accident in Arnold, rescue crews shut down I-55 in both directions so a fire hose could be stretched across the interstate to a hydrant near the Dierbergs store in the Arnold Commons complex, Harder said.
He said the heat made it tough to fight the fire and as a result firefighters from several surrounding agencies were called to assist.
“We brought in companies as far away as Goldman and Herculaneum,” Harder said.
He said Rock Fire already had crews assisting with the incident near Butler Hill, which made it even more necessary to call for extra help.
“Everyone worked together well,” he said.
Harder said the northbound lanes of I-55 in Arnold remained closed so the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Arnold Police could complete their investigation into the accident.