Big Rig Still Dangling Off Of Dallas Highway
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A big rig is still stuck along Interstate-45 in the southwest Oak Cliff portion of Dallas, a day after it nearly slid off of the highway entirely. The incident happened at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon.
Authorities said that the truck driver lost control on the ice in the northbound lanes of the interstate, close to Simpson Stuart Road. The truck's cab went through a guardrail on a bridge and started to dangle over the edge of the interstate. But, thankfully, the driver was able to crawl out safely and was not hurt.
As the shaken truck driver stood outside in freezing temperatures after the crash on Monday, an officer with the Dallas Police Department offered him her jacket. He hesitated at first, but then wore the jacket at the scene.
WATCH LIVE: Workers Try To Pull Big Rig Back On Bridge
That driver is now staying in the Dallas area with a friend.
However, the big rig is still there.
According to the driver, the truck was carrying Goodyear tires from Houston to Kansas.
Four tow trucks have attempted to pull the vehicle back onto the roadway on Monday night and Tuesday morning, but they were unsuccessful on the ice. A fifth tow truck is now on the scene, but cranes may be needed to get the truck off of the road for good.
During the process of trying to pull the big rig back onto the bridge, officers discovered live electrical wires that were exposed from the impact of the accident. ONCOR was called out to fix that. Also, a heavy duty crane was ordered to bring the big rig back to an upright position, but before the crane can be sent to the location, a TXDOT engineer must assess the bridge to make sure the bridge will support the weight of the crane.
Around midday, local company Sky Sight Films showed up on the scene with a drone and offered help. No word yet on if officials will take them up on the offer.
In the meantime, drivers in this part of Dallas will need to slow down. Roads have been treated, but ice is still a concern along the interstate. Additional workers and heavy equipment are now be in the area as well.
The northbound lanes of Interstate-45 remain closed. Check the traffic map for alternate routes.
