COLUMBUS, NC. (THECOUNT) — Aaron Eric Smith of Pauline, SC, has been identified as the victim in a fatal vehicle-tanker truck crash in Western North Carolina near the SC state line Tuesday night.

Smith, 43, was killed after he rear-ended a tanker truck carrying hazardous liquid while traveling along I-26 westbound near Mile Marker 70 in Polk County after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

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Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tanker truck driver was transported with unknown injuries.

As a result of the collision, troopers the tanker spilled a large amount of hazardous material onto the roadway. The Town of Columbus Fire Department says approximately 1,000 gallons of gasoline spilled into drainage pipes, reports FoxCarolina.

Geo quick facts: Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,510. Its county seat is Columbus. The county was formed in 1855 from parts of Henderson County and Rutherford County. It was named for William Polk, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War – Wikipedia.