A man who attempted suicide and caused a tanker truck crash Friday night will face criminal charges, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Nicholas Deonte Owens, 26, of, Macon, will be charged with criminal damage to property, interference with government property and reckless driving, said State Patrol Cpl. Kevin Pope.

Owens told deputies he drove his station wagon into the side of a fuel tanker at about 11 p.m. Friday because he wanted to end his life. The wreck, located at the Interstate 475 exit ramp onto Thomaston Road, caused the tanker to burst into flames and shut down part of the interstate for several hours, according to the sheriff’s office.

Owens burned his legs, but walked to the interstate bridge with plans to jump from it until two Macon police officers stopped him.

He was taken to Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital of Augusta.

Pope said warrants will be outstanding when Owens is released.

Troopers are awaiting results of a blood test to determine whether Owens was driving under the influence of alcohol, Pope said.

He said he expects results to be returned in about six weeks.

Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report. To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.