Traffic was blocked last Monday on Highway 35 after two 18-wheelers were involved in an accident that left one man injured and traffic blocked for nearly seven hours.

Bassfield Fire Department received a call at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11 of two trucks involved in an accident at F.M. McNease Road and Highway 35. Tri-Community Fire Department in Marion County was also dispatched.

According to Fire Chief Bill Matthews, the first truck owned by Stingley Lumber Company in Enterprise had Highway 35 blocked and was fully engulfed in flames. The driver was stabilized after suffering lacerations and internal injuries and was transported by AAA Ambulance to Forrest General Hospital.

The truck burned completely and was not carrying any cargo.

“Then we saw approximately a quarter of a mile from that truck west toward Columbia, the second 18-wheeler log truck that was off the road in a ditch with a portion of trailer turned over,” said Matthews. The truck had been loaded with logs that were dumped.

The driver of that truck owned by Fornier Trucking in Angie, Louisiana was not injured.

The Bassfield Fire Department had 12 firefighters responding, along with Tri-Community Fire Department. Other responders included the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office, AAA Ambulance and the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Holifield Wrecker Service had to bring two wreckers. Johnny”s Wrecker Service brought two large wreckers, a rollback, a 50-foot long flatbed and a second 18-wheeler lowboy with a trackhoe, according to Matthews.

MDOT arrived with a sweeper to clear debris and spread sand to soak up diesel.

Traffic was blocked on Highway 35 with a backup of over two miles and was not reopened until 9:55pm.