“My front tire, right side, just exploded,” said Pavlovic. “Just seconds it happened. No warning.“

The pavement bore the scars of the blown tire and a long track of rubber headed toward the barrow pit where the vehicle laid on its side. Pavlovic said he was going 58 miles per hour when the crash occurred.

He suffered lacerations to his head and favored his left arm. His white T-shirt read “Germany: Soccer is Life,” and was spotted with blood. Despite the urging of paramedics and firefighters, Pavlovic declined to go to the hospital for further evaluation.

“We believe the driver took the curve too fast and had mechanical issues with the vehicle, which caused it to go on its side,” said Sgt. Chad Dever with the Montana Highway Patrol. “The driver was cited. We believe speed was a factor.”

The truck, a 2005 Volvo, was registered to Silver Star Truck Line.

Traffic along Highway 200 was closed to a single lane for much of the day as crews examined the spill and formulated a plan to clean up the crash.

East Missoula Fire, Missoula Rural Fire and Missoula Hazmat personnel responded, along with Motor Carrier Services from the Montana Department of Transportation, and local health officials.