Major Crash Closes Interstate-30 In Dallas
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The thick fog on Friday morning could be to blame for a major crash along Interstate-30. A portion of the highway is going to be shut down in both directions for several hours while crews clean up the mess and authorities conduct a full investigation.
The incident happened at about 3:30 a.m. over the Lake Ray Hubbard bridge. At the time of the crash, witnesses say visibility was down to 100 feet. Emergency officials said that six 18-wheelers and eight other vehicles were involved in the crash along the eastbound lanes of the roadway. But the crash spilled over onto the westbound side of the bridge, as one of the 18-wheelers involved spilled its load of 10-ton aluminum rolls.
According to Tony Hartzel with the Texas Department of Transportation, around 500 feet of the median barrier was destroyed during the crash. That barrier will need to be fixed, at least temporarily, before the highway can be opened back up for traffic. "This is a major incident," Hartzel said. "We're out there working on it."
Teams are also working to clean up various vehicular fluids which spilled onto the roadway during the crash, and special equipment is being brought in to remove some of the larger pieces debris and the damaged vehicles.
"There's a lot of debris on the road. There's a lot of oil. There's a lot of spilled fuel. Everything has to be cleaned up, to keep the roads from being slick," said Matt Conley from the Dallas Police Department.
Jason Evans with Dallas Fire-Rescue stated that seven people were injured in the crash and taken to the hospital. Garland Fire transported one patient. They are all expected to recover. Thankfully, there were no reports of fatalities.
Dallas police have arrested one of the drivers involved in the crash, 23-year-old Christopher Sosa, under suspicion of DWI. Police have not said Sosa caused the pileup.
Shortly before 11 a.m., a second incident involving another 18 wheeler was reported about 10 miles east at I-30 near FM 548. The interstate has been shut down in both directions in that incident as well. TxDOT is helping with traffic control and will be conducting repairs to the concrete median barrier which was damaged in this accident.
TxDOT is providing road conditions and traffic updates on its Facebook and Twitter pages.
The bridge is expected to be closed in both directions around Dalrock Road until midday, Hartzel said. The eastbound lanes are expected to be open first. Drivers who must pass through this area on Friday are urged to seek alternate routes.
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