An employee at Awning Works Inc. in Clearwater witnessed a tractor-trailer burst into flames on Tuesday morning.

Chase Thalheimer witnessed the crash around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. It happened on the exit ramp leading from Northbound I-275 to

SR 690 in Pinellas County.

Thalheimer said he parked his work vehicle on the side of the road and rushed to help the driver.

"I saw the truck roll right onto its side and then skid to a stop, and then my instincts kicked in, and I'm like I got to help him," said Thalheimer.

"I could hear screaming and yelling. I asked, are you alright? At that time, the flames were getting bad."

Thalheimer said he tried breaking several windows to reach the driver.

"I went around to the front of the truck to try to kick out the window or something and was unable

See Full Page