A terrifying late-night crash in Northern Kentucky turned a major interstate into an inferno Friday evening after a passenger car collided with a fuel tanker, triggering a massive fireball that shut down the entire highway and sent three people, including two children, to the hospital.
The fiery crash occurred around 10:10 p.m. Friday on Interstate-471 southbound near the Memorial Parkway exit in Newport, according to local officials, WLWT reported.
Authorities say the collision caused the fuel tanker to overturn, spilling its highly flammable contents onto the roadway.
The fuel quickly ignited, sending towering flames and thick black smoke into the night sky as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
According to a statement from the City of Newport, two children, ages 6 and 12, were transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with minor injuries following the crash.
An adult woman who was traveling in the car was also hospitalized with minor injuries.
The tanker driver, a 47-year-old man, was treated at the scene and released. Officials reported no additional injuries.
WATCH:
WATCH: Large explosion and fire reported near Memorial Parkway south of Cincinnati, Ohio pic.twitter.com/os2wFpetoV
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) March 14, 2026
Officials said the flames traveled through the highway drainage system to the sewer below, but no significant damage was reported.
All lanes on Interstate-471 have been closed as fire crews responded to the scene and will remain closed as crews clean up the area.
Campbell County Emergency Management, state highway officials and many other departments responded to the scene.
