Big rig driver killed in fiery crash on I-95

All lanes of Interstate 95 northbound were closed for about an hour and a half, and traffic was diverted onto C.R. 210, then onto U.S. Highway 1. I-95 reopened just after 4 p.m.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The driver of a tractor-trailer died in a fiery crash on Interstate 95 northbound, just north of County Road 210, in St. Johns County on Thursday afternoon.

IMAGES: Man dies in fiery crash

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St. Johns County Fire Rescue was called to the crash at mile marker 331 just after 2:20 p.m. and found the big rig fully engulfed in flames.

Once the fire was brought under control, rescuers said, they recovered 69-year-old Kenneth Varnes' body from the cab of the semi.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue was called to the crash at mile marker 331 just after 2:20 p.m. and found the big rig fully engulfed in flames.

Witnesses told 911 dispatchers they saw the vehicle jackknife prior to leaving the highway, strike the tree line and catch fire, according to Fire Rescue.

Northbound I-95 was closed while firefighters battled the blaze, which was extinguished a short time later.

All lanes of Interstate 95 northbound were closed for about an hour and a half, and traffic was diverted onto C.R. 210, then onto U.S. Highway 1. I-95 reopened just after 4 p.m.

Drivers were to expect significant delays in both north and southbound lanes of I-95.