Two die in explosive Gainesville wreck

GAINESVILLE - A deadly vehicle crash and ensuing explosion in Gainesville claimed the lives of two people Tuesday morning.

It happened about 1:00 a.m. on Purina Drive in an industrial section of the city.

"Responding officers initially could hear the explosions when they arrived there were a number of explosions," Gainesville Police Officer Kevin Holbrook said.

The crash involved a tractor trailer carrying dog food and a car.

"It appears the vehicle initially struck the cab of the truck, at which point the diesel tank exploded as well as the rest of the vehicle," Holbrook said.

The scene of the crash remained busy into the daylight hours. Firefighters continued to douse the smouldering burned out rig with water, while a backhoe cleaned up wreckage.

That same backhoe earlier pulled the car from the twisted wreckage, so police could gather evidence regarding the victims.

The two victims both were in the car. Holbrook said the driver of the tractor trailer escaped injury. Police were trying to identify the victims and determine the specifics of the crash.

Purina Drive remained closed into mid-morning hours. Employees of businesses on the road were being allowed in for work.