ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. -- Troopers are investigating a fiery crash along Interstate 85 southbound near mile marker 11.

Lance Cpl. Jeff Gaskin, with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, said a 2007 Freightliner hauling a trailer ran off the interstate just before 10 a.m. Saturday.

Gaskin said the 18-wheeler struck the guardrail then continued off the roadway, striking a number of trees before bursting into flames. The driver of the tractor trailer was killed.

Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said the driver was a 70-year-old man from Stone Mountain, Ga. His name is not being released at this time.

Shore said the driver left from Norfolk, Va., at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday night, and said it was unclear if the driver had stopped and slept prior to the crash.

Shore said the driver was pinned inside the 18-wheeler and died in the fire. A witness who attempted to pull the driver from the cab said the truck driver's legs were pinned, Shore said.

Traffic was backed up for miles as firefighters rushed to put out the fire. Crews were on the scene much of the afternoon using a backhoe to remove the tractor trailer from the side of the interstate.

The Anderson County Coroner’s office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating this deadly accident.

Stay with FOX Carolina News and Foxcarolina.com for the latest on this developing story.