LEXINGTON, N.C. -- Chauncey Bratcher, 40, died after rear-ending another truck Monday night, a collision that caused a corrosive material to leak on the road from his truck.
Troopers say the wreck happened around 10:30 on Monday night when a Southeastern Freight Lines truck was traveling south on US 52 Monday night. The driver, 47-year-old Kyle Flannery, stopped due to traffic ahead in a work zone.
A while later, they say another Southeastern Freight Lines truck, driven by Bratcher, approached the area and failed to reduce speed. Troopers say Bratcher rear-ended the first truck traveling at least 50 mph.
Bratcher died at the scene. Investigators don't know why he failed to slow down and stop.
But the crash posed another problem.
"Indications we have as of right now, it was some sort of corrosive material on that trailer that leaked out, so we have environmental safety here as well," said Travis Harper, NC Highway Patrol. "There's no danger to the public. That has passed, all the vapors, everything is gone at this point."
And while investigators worked the scene and crews did what they could to control the chemical leak, troopers urged the public to be patient and drive safe.
"That's what we don't want right now, more accidents," said Harper. "Pay attention, get to work, and hopefully it'll be cleaned up by the time you get to work.
NC Highway Patrol says US 52 South reopened around 2 p.m. Roadway 52 North reopened just before 7:30 a.m.