Semi-truck bursts into flames along Highway 70 in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A semi-truck suffering mechanical problems burst into flames along U.S. Highway 70 in the Las Cruces area on Friday evening, state police said.

Video and images taken by ABC-7 viewer Adrian Orona captured the intense smoke and flames that engulfed the tractor-trailer rig.

State transportation officials had closed U.S. 70 at milepost 164 to traffic in both directions following the fiery incident around 8 p.m. Friday.

As of 10:30 p.m. Friday, the westbound highway had reopened while crews continued working to clear the wreckage. The road finally reopened to eastbound traffic just before 7 a.m. Saturday, according to the New Mexico Dept. of Transportation.

State police said an officer was attempting to escort the troubled truck with mechanical issues to a nearby rest area when it caught fire around mile marker 161.

The driver managed to escape the flaming truck unharmed, authorities said. However, the blaze consumed the entire truck before firefighters were able to put it out.

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