UPDATE: Stockbridge man killed in I-16 wreck in Savannah

The passenger of a cargo truck died instantly in a wreck Saturday afternoon that tied up Interstate 16 eastbound for hours.

Ronald V. Lawrence Jr., 30 of Stockbrigde, was killed when the 2003 GMC truck a 33-year-old Clarkston man was driving ran off the roadway and into a tree about halfway between Dean Forest Road and Chatham Parkway about 3 p.m., said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.

The truck's drive escaped with minor injuries but was transported to Memorial University Medical Center for observation.

Miller said the truck was traveling eastbound when it swerved onto the right shoulder of the interstate, struck a highway sign, and continued into the tree line. The truck's cargo area ruptured, spilling its contents throughout the area.

As crews worked to clear the scene I-16 was shut down for sometime and limited to only one lane for several hours.

Miller said the police department's Major Accident Investigation Team was continuing to look into the wreck late Saturday night.