Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash Shut Down I-70 in Maryland

The fiery crash left one person dead and another injured

A fatal tractor-trailer crash shut down a stretch of Interstate 70 in New Market, Maryland, Thursday morning.

Around 9 a.m., all lanes had reopened in both directions. The affected area extended between MD-144 and MD-75.

The truck and a Honda Civic were both traveling east about 3 a.m. when the truck apparently rearended the Civic, police believe. The car burst into flames, police said.
The truck crossed the median and three westbound lanes before hitting a guardrail, police said.

Matthew Emiliano Lautar, 45, of Baltimore was found dead in the burning car, police said.

The 24-year-old truck driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, police said.

Debris was strewn across both directions of the busy interstate.

Drivers who were on the road behind the crash were not allowed to pass for hours as police investigated the crash site.

It's not clear what caused the crash.

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