1 Dead, 1 injured After Tandem Tractor-Trailer Overturns On Interstate-30 In Dallas, Highway Shutdown
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — A deadly accident has completely shutdown part of Interstate-30 in far west Dallas.
Deputies with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department are investigating the crash involving an overturned semi pulling two tractor-trailers.
The big rig overturned just before 5:00 a.m. blocking three lanes of the highway. The top and side of at least one of the trailers tore open, spilling the contents out onto the roadway.
Deputies who arrived at the scene soon discovered that the tractor-trailer and a minivan were involved in the accident.
One hundred feet of guardrail had been damaged and the driver of the semi was trapped in his rig. Crews with Dallas Fire Rescue were able to get 64-year-old man out of the semi, but he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The driver of the minivan -- a 21-year-old woman -- was also taken to the hospital. The extent of her injuries aren't known.
Investigators believe the minivan was trying to merge onto the highway when the vehicle was hit by the tractor-trailer.
The crash forced deputies to close all of the westbound lanes of I-30 between Dallas and Fort Worth.
The highway is shutdown between Westmoreland Road and Cockrell Hill and traffic is being diverted.
Emergency crews are on the scene and working to clear debris from the road and upright the big rig.
Officials at the scene have given no indication how long the highway will be closed. Detectives are still investigating trying to find the exact cause of the accident.