A fiery fuel truck crash early Saturday morning in Graniteville, South Carolina, caused the collapse of the Old Vaucluse Road overpass and forced a complete shutdown of Interstate 20 in both directions through Aiken County. Remarkably, only minor injuries were reported.

Authorities say the tanker truck, carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline, was traveling eastbound on I-20 around 4:00 a.m. when it crashed under the overpass. The impact and ensuing fire sent massive flames into the sky, eventually compromising the bridge and causing it to collapse onto the interstate.

Two people were transported to the hospital, though their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

By 9:00 a.m., traffic was already heavy in Graniteville as state and local agencies implemented detours. The eastbound detour redirects drivers at Exit 6 to I-520 westbound, connecting them to U.S. 1, S.C. 118, and S.C. 19, eventually rejoining I-20 at Exit 18. The westbound detour is the reverse.

Officials with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) confirmed the bridge is a total loss, and demolition began immediately Saturday afternoon. The interstate is expected to reopen in the early part of next week, but rebuilding the overpass will take months.

SCDOT’s Justin Powell urged motorists to be patient:

“Plan ahead, pack your patience, and make a little extra time if you are traveling between Augusta and Columbia.”

Sheriff Marty Sawyer also reminded drivers that speeds through the detour drop from 70 mph to 40 mph, and urged caution near first responders and local residents along the route.

Over 35 personnel from nine fire departments responded to the blaze, including units from GVW, Sage Mill, Center, Langley, Eureka, Trenton, Merriwether, and Belvedere, alongside Aiken County EMS, Emergency Management, and dispatch.

The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not yet released further details about its

Source of photos and news: WRDW News 12 – Bridge collapses on Old Vaucluse Road