Portion of Ga. highway closed after deadly crash

GUYTON, Ga. (AP) Authorities say a portion of Highway 17 in Effingham County will be closed until Monday following a tanker truck crash that killed three people.

The Savannah Morning News reports the tanker, which was carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline, exploded in the accident Thursday afternoon.

Authorities say three people inside a pickup that collided with the truck died. Their names have not been released, and the truck driver wasn't injured. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating.

Effingham County Sheriff's Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor says damage from the fire, which burned off and on for several hours, caused severe structural damage to the highway. He says barricades will be put up between Blue Jay and Midland roads.