A semi truck driver lost his life after crashing into a historic building at Death Valley National Park on Tuesday afternoon, May 20.

The incident: Just after 2 p.m., a big rig was headed downhill on CA-190, between Stovepipe Wells and Towne Pass, when it veered off the road and slammed into the Emigrant Ranger Station. The building, known for its history dating back to the 1930s, was heavily damaged in the wreck.

• The crash is believed to have been caused by a brake malfunction as the truck descended the steep grade.
• The driver did not survive the crash.
• First responders had to deal with a hazardous materials spill due to sodium sulfate cargo and diesel fuel leaking from the truck.

Emergency crews shut down the highway for nearly a day while they cleaned up the wreckage and spill, reported the National Park Service.

The Emigrant Ranger Station holds a special place in trucking and western folklore, as it's where ranger Stan Jones wrote the classic "Ghost Riders in the Sky" in 1947.

The road closure lasted about 22 hours while cleanup and repairs took place.