SANTIAGO.-The driver of the tanker truck that caught fire on Tuesday afternoon on the Duarte highway at kilometer 140 on the La Vega-Santiago stretch after colliding with an electric power pole died early Thursday morning.
From the direction of the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago (HOMS)The death of Mr. Carlos Batista García was confirmed. He suffered burns on more than 80 percent of his body.
Fabio Pérez, who suffered serious burns, remains hospitalized in the same health center.
Following the explosion of the tanker truck carrying jet fuel, several vehicles parked on the road were also set on fire.
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Several units from different fire departments were needed to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to other commercial establishments in the area.
The fuel tank that García was transporting held 12 thousand gallons and had left the refinery in Santo Domingo bound for the province of Puerto Plata.
In addition to the vehicles affected by the accident, several commercial establishments were damaged.
The authorities are still investigating the case, but the most widely accepted version is that the truck driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the electricity pole.
Relatives of the injured have requested privacy regarding their situation.
