The West O Street on-ramp to Interstate 80 remains closed this morning, Thursday, Dec. 19, as clean up continues following a fiery semi- trailer truck crash that claimed two lives.  Motorists are advised to check Nebraska 511 for opening information.

Around noon, Wednesday, December 18, the Nebraska State Patrol responded to reports of a semi on fire on the westbound West O Street on-ramp. The preliminary investigation indicates the semi was eastbound on I-80 when it struck a guardrail, went down an embankment, landed upright on the on-ramp and caught fire.

According to the trucking company, U.S. Express, of Chattanooga, Tenn., the semi hauling dry goods was being driven by a husband and wife team out of East Canton, Ohio.

The names of both the female driver and male passenger killed in the crash are being withheld pending notification of relatives.

The crash closed a portion of eastbound I-80 for approximately an hour and a half. Westbound lanes were closed for a short period due to heavy smoke from the fire.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Rural Fire and Rescue, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, the Malcolm Volunteer Fire Department and the Nebraska Air Guard.