TOWANDA - A county highway worker fled a fiery blaze Monday after his truck was hit from behind and caught fire on the Delco Road overpass connecting to Towanda's Interstate 55 exit.

A southbound sport utility vehicle driven by Chester Morgan, 63, rural Towanda, rear-ended a McLean County Highway Department pickup truck driven by Francis Tharp, 62, rural Farmer City, at 2:13 p.m. Monday, said McLean County sheriff's police.

The collision apparently forced a street sweeper the truck was towing into the back of the truck, causing a gasoline tank in the truck bed to explode. Flames shot up 20 feet in heavy black smoke seen for miles, said Towanda Assistant Fire Chief Michael Donald.

Fire engulfed most of the truck, leaving the cab a burned shell. The rear tires were melted.

The SUV landed on its driver's side.

Tharp, who was in the median when emergency crews arrived, had burned his hand and had back and neck pain. Tharp was treated at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, and released, said a nursing supervisor.

Morgan was listed in good condition Tuesday morning at OSF Saint Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington, said a nursing supervisor.

The crash temporarily blocked both southbound lanes and one northbound lane of the county road leading into Towanda. Interstate 55 traffic below the overpass was not affected.