Authorities Make Mysterious Discovery When They Open the Back of a Burned 18-Wheeler

Authorities in East Texas are trying to piece together the origin and destination of some unusual cargo found stashed in the trailer of a burned-up 18-wheeler: about $1 million in cash.

Image source: KLTV-TV

Sheriff's deputies said the mystery commenced when an 18-wheeler caught fire on Interstate 20 last Tuesday morning, and the driver got out of the truck to check on it, KSLA-TV reported. Eric Royster was then killed when he was struck by another 18-wheeler, KLTV-TV said.

Image source: KLTV-TV

Sifting through the wreckage of the burned-up trailer, officials discovered the cash; about $700,000 was burned, but deputies recovered more than $300,000.

Image source: KLTV-TV

There's no word yet as to how the fire started, how the cash got inside the trailer, or where the money was headed.

Image source: KLTV-TV

"It was not money that was being transported as part of the owner's money or furniture," Harrison County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Jay Webb told KLTV. "This department, the county and the country would love to find out who's receiving the money, where it's going, what was it going to be used for."

The undamaged cash was sent to the federal reserve bank in Dallas, KLTV reported.