News Summary
A gasoline tanker crashed early Saturday morning, leading to the collapse of the Old Vaucluse Road Bridge over Interstate 20 in Aiken County. The incident involved an 18-wheeler carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline that caught fire, prompting responses from nine local fire departments. While two individuals sustained minor injuries, no fatalities were reported. Cleanup and repair efforts have begun, with the highway reopening to traffic in less than 36 hours. Investigations are underway to understand the crash’s causes and improve future safety measures.
Aiken County – An early morning crash involving a gasoline tanker led to the collapse of the Old Vaucluse Road Bridge over Interstate 20 on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The incident, which occurred around 4 a.m., involved an 18-wheeler that was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline. The truck caught fire, sending flames high into the sky and resulting in extensive damage to the overpass.
The fire department reported that the truck was “fully involved in fire” when local fire crews arrived on the scene. In total, nine local fire departments responded to the emergency, deploying approximately 10,000 gallons of water to extinguish the flames. Despite their efforts, the intensity of the fire caused the bridge to collapse, confirming it as a total loss, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Crews worked through the night to demolish the damaged structure and began milling and repaving the affected sections of Interstate 20. The highway managed to reopen to traffic on the afternoon of Sunday, June 15, less than 36 hours after the incident took place. Motorists were faced with detours during the closure, as officials provided specific alternate routes for eastbound and westbound travelers.
As a result of the crash, two individuals were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Their current status remains undisclosed. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in this incident. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation to determine the sequence of events that led to the crash.
In response to the accident, emergency contracts with United Infrastructure were put in place to facilitate cleanup and repair efforts. Transportation officials have urged the public to remain patient as work continues on restoring full traffic flow in the area.
The incident highlights the potentially hazardous nature of transporting flammable materials and prompts ongoing discussions about safety measures on highways, particularly in areas with infrastructure that may be vulnerable to such accidents. Investigations into the specific causes of the crash are expected to yield insights that could inform future regulations and safety protocols for transporting hazardous materials on South Carolina roads.
This event has underscored the importance of robust emergency response systems and interdepartmental collaboration when managing large-scale incidents, particularly those involving hazardous materials. Local authorities are continuously assessing the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected communities while working towards a swift resolution of the infrastructure challenges presented by the incident.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Fiery Tanker Crash Collapses Bridge
- WFXG: Bridge Deemed Total Loss After Fuel Truck Crash
- WSBTV: Tanker Fire Under Bridge Shuts Down I-20
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bridge Collapse
- Google Search: Tanker Truck Fire
