Truck hauling allegedly stolen P&M trailer burns on I-10, driver arrested

A tractor-trailer from Douglas caught fire on I-10 in the Florida panhandle earlier this week. Turns out, the trailer was allegedly stolen from another local trucking company. The driver, Larry Duck, 55, of Alma, was arrested and held for a couple of days in the Walton County Jail.

According to a story published in the Northwest Florida Daily News, the Florida Highway Patrol issued a press release stating that Tuesday, July 10, Florida Highway Patrol troopers and firemen from Walton County Fire Rescue answered a vehicle fire call on the eastbound side of I-10 around mile marker 76. When they arrived on the scene, they saw a tractor-trailer engulfed in flames. The fire appeared to be confined to the truck and had not spread to the trailer.

Since the truck was basically burned to the ground, there was no lettering on the truck to be seen. The only visible placards were on the trailer, which were P&M Trucking placards. Troopers called P&M and company personnel stated that there were no P&M trucks in the area and the truck didn’t match any of theirs. P&M stated the company wanted the trailer reported as stolen. The truck that caught fire was leased to LEM Trucking of Douglas.

As a result, troopers arrested Duck and charged with felony grand theft. He was held in the Walton County Jail before being released. The investigation into the incident continues. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office is working on the case.

There were no injuries reported in the fire.

The Northwest Florida Daily News contributed to this report.

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