The driver and passenger of a tractor-trailer died early Thursday morning after their vehicle crashed on eastbound Interstate 80 about five miles east of Truckee, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The tractor-trailer was eastbound near Prosser Village Road about 3:30 a.m. when it veered to the right and struck a construction sign. The vehicle continued drifting off the roadway where it overturned, slid down an embankment and caught on fire, according to CHP reports.
The cab of the tractor-trailer was engulfed in flames, even catching the surrounding brush on fire, said CHP Officer Kirk Bromell. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The trailer portion of the vehicle ruptured, spilling what appeared to be insulating material along the interstate, according to witnesses.
The CHP and Truckee Fire Department responded to the accident and extinguished the fire. The accident closed one lane of the interstate early Thursday.
The identities of the victims had not been released pending notification of next of kin. The cause of the accident is under investigation.