CALDWELL -- A truck driver miraculously escaped serious injury when a massive fire tore through his semi Monday night, leaving the vehicle a twisted pile of burned rubble.
Idaho State Police say 59-year-old- Robert Pickering of Pleasant Grove, Utah was driving west on I-84 near Exit 29 at about 10:50 p.m. when he lost control. The truck, which was hauling paper products, went off the right side of the road, overturned and burst into flames.
Idaho State Police Trooper Derek Jubitz said the fire tore through the truck's cab, moving quickly to engulf it.
"The cab of the semi was completely burned up," he said. "The fuel tank sat right underneath it, so it caught flame and the whole cab went out."
Luckily, Pickering was able to get out of the burning vehicle, and suffered only minor injuries. He was taken by ambulance to St. Luke's Nampa Medical Center.
The blaze left charred debris scattered across the road and blocked all lanes of westbound I-84 for about eight hours.
Traffic was diverted at the Karcher Road exit while crews worked to investigate and clean up the scene. All lanes have since been opened.
KTVB has a crew at the scene, check back for updates.