Fiery Crash Leaves 1 Dead, Big Rig Dangling From Dallas Bridge
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A deadly crash involving a big rig and four other vehicles ended with a large fire along Interstate-30 in Dallas on Friday morning. The incident happened around 5:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the highway, on the bridge over East Grand Avenue.
Details of the crash are still under investigation, but it is known that at least one vehicle hit the back of the big rig and started the fire. Those flames have since been extinguished, but firefighters and other emergency workers have remained at the scene to monitor the situation.
Video from the scene showed the big rig's cab dangling from the bridge over East Grand Avenue, with significant damage done to the side of the bridge itself. Shortly after the crash, traffic cameras captured multiple explosions and flames burning across the lanes of the interstate.
A hazardous materials team was called to the scene to assist with the cleanup.
Officials with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department said one person was injured and the driver of the semi was thrown from the rig and later pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital. The names of the injured and deceased have not been released.
Both sides of the interstate had been closed, along with East Grand Avenue, while emergency crews worked to clean up the mess from the crash. The westbound lanes of Interstate-30 were kept open just after the crash, but drivers were forced to pass through a thick cloud of smoke in order to proceed.
With the smoke now gone, the westbound side of the highway has opened back up to regular traffic, but only two lanes of the eastbound side are getting through. East Grand Avenue is still closed. The Texas Department of Transportation estimated that all lanes will be open by 2:00 p.m. on Friday. Check the traffic map for the latest updates.