A stretch of Highway 67 around a Comite River bridge shut down last Friday, Sept. 10, due to an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at about 5 a.m.

The highway section between Zachary and Clinton was closed until further notice and was not expected to reopen until later that afternoon. North bound traffic was rerouted to LA 959 and South bound traffic was diverted to LA 412.

The 18-wheeler's unidentified driver was transported to Lane Regional Medical Center. It is unknown whether he sustained any serious injuries.

Reports from the scene of the accident indicated the driver hit the guard rails of a Plank Road bridge, tearing through the truck's saddle tanks. Sparks from the impact ignited diesel in the truck and engulfed the 18-wheeler in flames.

The driver was carrying compressed gas and an automobile dissolvent, neither of which exploded.

Authorities on the scene had not determined the exact cause of the accident by mid-day Friday, and the driver does not remember what happened.

Initial reports indicated the accident was caused by either a blowout or the driver falling asleep at the wheel.

State police have cited the driver with careless operation.

Several emergency and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene including Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the East Feliciana Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the East Feliciana Sheriff's Office, Slaughter Hazmat, and the Slaughter, Olive Branch and Clinton Fire Departments.