Driver found dead after semi crashes, catches fire

An Idaho Falls truck driver died Tuesday afternoon after his semi crashed outside of American Falls along Interstate 86.

Idaho State Police say, 75-year-old Stephen Peterson of Idaho Falls was traveling eastbound on I-86 in a semi hauling potatoes when the vehicle went off the left shoulder and into the westbound lanes of travel. The truck then flipped on its side and caught fire.

Officials said the fire engulfed the the vehicle, and witnesses were able to pull the driver out of the truck before the fire got to his body. Officials said the driver, who not wearing his seatbelt, had a heart attack and succumbed to his injuries at the crash.

The location the driver was heading towards is unknown.