An 18-wheeler carrying a load of gasoline crashed through a retaining wall and into 11 vehicles, according to authorities in Harris County, Texas. Meanwhile, among the other truck accidents around Texas in a two-week period were a box truck that hit a pickup head-on; a truck carrying millions of bees that crashed onto the roadway; a man on a bicycle who was struck by a dump truck; and a semi-truck that slammed into a school bus that stopped in front of an apartment building.
Texas is the second most populated state in America and is the home to frequent fatal car crashes, many of which involve the big rigs that traverse the expansive state.
Harris County Truck Crash Sends Multiple People to Hospital
June 9, 2018
An investigation is underway into a multi-vehicle accident involving an 18-wheeler in Harris County. The vehicle, which was carrying a full tank of gasoline, was traveling south on State Highway 249 when it veered through a retaining wall at Spring Creek at approximately 11:30 a.m. The semi came to a stop on the adjacent feeder road, but it hit 11 other vehicles as it traveled.
Images from the scene of the Harris County truck crash show passenger vehicles from various states, some moderately affected and others badly damaged or crushed by the big rig.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office updated drivers about the crash on Twitter, saying three victims from the 11 vehicles were life-flighted for treatment and that the feeder lanes were closed. Gonzalez urged drivers to avoid the area as crews worked to assist victims, clear wreckage and investigate the cause of the crash.
Gonzalez returned to Twitter later in the day to say that all injured victims were expected to survive (though one was in guarded condition) and that the feeder lanes in the area would not open until later in the evening.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported that a HAZMAT inspection of the damaged big rig found no ruptures to the tank containing the gasoline.
Authorities have not stated what they believe caused the truck driver to veer from the roadway.
Taylor Cyclist Hit and Killed by Dump Truck on Main Street
June 11, 2018
A 40-year-old Taylor man died after being struck by a dump truck while riding his bike.
A news release reported that Michael Webb was killed while riding north on North Main Street on the sidewalk. The dump truck, whose driver has not been identified but is believed to be a 24-year old Hutto man, struck Webb while attempting to turn right onto southbound North Main Street. Webb had already entered the crosswalk when the collision happened. The report also said he was run over in the incident.
Police from the Taylor Police Department responded to the accident at approximately 3:06 p.m. and determined that Webb suffered massive internal and head injuries. Officials pronounced him dead at the scene.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is working with the Taylor Police Department on the investigation into the incident.
One Person Airlifted After New Braunfels Truck Crash
June 11, 2018
Four people were injured, and one of them had to be airlifted for medical treatment after a head-on collision between a box truck and a pickup truck in New Braunfels.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Loop 337. New Braunfels Police Department officials said that the box truck struck the pickup truck, and the pickup then crashed into a nearby sedan.
The 55-year-old pickup truck driver, an unidentified New Braunfels man, had to be transported by air because of his injuries. An unidentified 57-year-old male passenger in the pickup was also injured and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. The box truck driver and his passenger also suffered injuries in the crash.
Semi Crashes into Stopped Bland School Bus in Hunt County
June 7, 2018
Details are still being released regarding a collision between a semi-truck and a Bland Independent School District bus.
Lonny Haschel, an official with the Texas Public Department of Safety, said that the crash happened a little before 1:00 p.m. near the Hunt-Collin Counties border on U.S. 380 and that the school bus was stopped at an apartment complex when the big rig hit it.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Kyle Bradford said there were about 14 kids on board the bus at the time of the accident, and that the truck driver claimed he never saw the bus.
Fourteen students were taken to the hospital after the crash as a precaution.
Up to 30 Million Bees Spilled After Paris, TX Truck Crash
May 28, 2018
Residents were buzzing after a semi-truck overturned on southeast Loop 286 in the Old Clarksville Road intersection area and spilled some of its load of between 15-30 million honeybees. Emergency personnel had to protect themselves as they worked to recover the bees and clear the scene, but several people were stung in the process.
Officials later recruited beekeepers that live in the area to assist with gathering and transporting the bees. They warned nearby residents to call officials if a swarm of the bees attached itself to something on their property.
The truck driver was not injured in the crash, and officials have not said what caused the truck accident.
