A Benton man was killed in a fiery, single-vehicle crash on Saturday in Graves County.
According to a news release, the crash occurred around 8:50 a.m. Saturday morning in the area of Kentucky 97 and Burnetts Chapel Road in Sadalia where a semi-truck was fully engulfed in flames by the time deputies arrived on scene and the operator was still inside. Deputies and bystanders attempted to help, but the fire was too intense.
The Sedalia Fire Department was able to get the fire out but the driver was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as 62-year-old Mark Smith of Benton.
Investigation reportedly determined the semi had been heading north on KY 97 when the trailer dropped off the roadway while going around a curve, causing Smith to lose control. The tractor-trailer struck a utility pole and a concrete culvert and overturned before catching fire.