Semi truck bursts into flames on Interstate 10

CHANDLER, Ariz. (KSAZ) - There was a massive traffic tie-up after a semi-truck hit a median on Interstate 10 near Ray Road.

The truck went up in flames and the fire was captured on video by Arizona Department of Transportation cameras.

According to the Department of Public Safety, the truck first veered to the right, hitting a guardrail, then veered across the westbound lanes of I-10, hitting a car and crashing into the concrete median. DPS is looking at possible driver fatigue as a cause of the crash.

"Eleven hours a day is basically what you can drive," said Sean Williams, President of Southwest Truck Driver Training.

Williams says there is a big need right now for truck drivers on the roads to help lessen the workload.

"The trucking companies are all kind of fighting over drivers right now because we have a driver shortage. We need about 40,000 drivers in the industry right now to haul the freight."

Drivers are also required to keep fire extinguishers in their cabs.

"If you get a little fire in your truck, you can try and put it out, but if it's more than your fire extinguisher can handle, you just got to get yourself away from the truck and be safe," said Williams.

The driver of this semi was able to get out after the accident. He also smashed into another car and flying concrete from the truck hitting the median damaged one vehicle on the other side of the freeway.

Several lanes of traffic were blocked for hours following the crash. The driver got out of the truck and is okay.

It took several hours for crews to clean the wreckage from the freeway.