LA GRANDE — A Union man died when the propane truck he was driving crashed on Highway 244 near Starkey on Thursday, Aug. 17.

James Thomas, 52, a driver for Ed Staub & Sons, was pronounced dead at the scene following the rollover crash, according to Oregon State Police.

The preliminary investigation indicated that Thomas’ truck was traveling eastbound when it left the roadway, overcorrected back onto the road and rolled onto its side, according to OSP. The crash caused the truck to catch fire and the truck was fully engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived.

The propane fire created an unsafe scene, according to OSP. Emergency personnel were forced to secure the area from a half mile away until firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.

The crash, which was near milepost 42, about 6 miles west of where Highway 244 meets Interstate 84 near Hilgard Junction State Park, closed the highway for around six hours and sparked a wildfire that was contained at 2 acres.