Tractor-trail crash shuts down I-89

A tractor-trailer crash and ensuing fire in Bolton early Tuesday morning shut down a portion of Interstate 89 for about six hours.

The driver, 30-year-old Steven Johnson of Springfield, was heading north on I-89 with a load of produce, according to Vermont State Police. At about 2:40 a.m., Johnson’s truck hit a deer and went out of control. The truck bounced off guardrails on the east side of the road before crossing both lanes of travel and going into the median, police said.

Johnson was able to climb out of the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames. He suffered minor bruising and soreness but refused to be taken to a hospital, police said.

State police dealt with the accident, along with firefighters from Waterbury, Bolton and Richmond, and police officers from Stowe and Williston.

I-89 was closed between exits 10 and 11 for several hours. The interstate opened to a single lane of traffic at about 8:40 a.m., but traffic was backed up significantly as crews continued to clear the scene, causing lengthy delays.