SA border checkpoint, highway to remain closed as fatal truck smash probed

A 150-kilometre detour will remain in place as the police checkpoint at the Victoria-South Australia border is closed following a fiery crash that killed a truck driver.

The 46-year-old driver died on the Western Highway at Serviceton, about six kilometres before the South Australia border, when his truck slammed into the back of a traffic jam, sparking a fiery blast which engulfed two trucks ahead.

The checkpoint, as well of the border crossing stretch of the Dukes Highway, remain closed.

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SA Police crossed the border to assist Victoria Police with the crash, with an investigation now underway to determine its cause.

A major inquiry has also been launched into whether poor planning around the snap border closure cost the truck driver his life.

"Investigators have been told a B Double truck crashed into the rear of a stationary B Double truck about 2.20am," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"The truck which had been stationary then collided with a B double truck in front of it.

"All three trucks then caught fire.

"The driver of the first truck, a 46-year-old man from Parafield Gardens, South Australia, died at the scene."

While the driver of the second truck, a 27-year-old man from Langford, and his passenger, a 63-year-old man from Carey Park, both from Western Australia, were taken to hospital and have since been released.

The driver of the third truck, a 50-year-old man from Melton in Victoria, escaped the blast uninjured.

The lengthy detour to cross the border is expected to remain in place at the Western/Dukes Highways over the weekend.

"Access to each state will not be possible at this location," SA Police said in a statement.

"SA motorists heading to Victoria are being diverted south towards Naracoorte and access to Victoria will be via the Wimmera Highway."

Major Collision Investigation Unit Detectives and Heavy Vehicle Criminal Investigation Unit are appealing for drivers who witnessed the fiery crash to come forward .

The exact cause of the collision is under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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