Benton trucker dies in fiery crash in Sedalia

A Benton man lost his life when the semi-tractor trailer truck he was driving caught fire while he was trapped inside.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of KY Highway 97 and Burnetts Chapel Road in Sedalia.  

When authorities arrived the semi was fully engulfed in flames and the operator, later identified as 62-year-old Mark Smith of Benton, remained inside.

Authorities and witnesses at the scene attempted to render aid, but the fire was too extreme. The Sedalia Fire Department extinguished the fire.

The Graves County Sheriff's Office said the semi was traveling Northbound on KY 97, when the trailer dropped off the roadway, while Smith was negotiating a curve. He reportedly lost control of the large rig at that point. The truck struck a utility pole, then a concrete culvert, and overturned. The semi caught fire and the cab exploded.  

The Coroner’s Office arrived to conduct its investigation and the family was notified of the driver's death.