At least three people were injured recently when a passenger car and a truck hauling fuel crashed on Interstate 30 west of downtown Dallas, according to a recent news report from KWTX. The crash ignited the fuel, causing the tanker truck to explode, which shut down both sides of the interstate.
The driver of the fuel tanker and two people riding in the car were taken to a local hospital for treatment, which were not reported to be life-threatening. No one was killed in the crash or the resulting explosion.
According to Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel, the fuel truck struck the median, resulting in the explosion. At least one car was also involved in the crash, but police are not yet certain how the accident occurred or in which order the vehicles collided with one another or the median. They are also investigating the source of the explosion.
The explosion rattled doors and windows in nearby homes. Both the sound and the fire could be seen from several miles away. Dallas Fire-Rescue crews noted that some of the fuel spilled into a nearby creek, but did not say whether plans have yet been made to clean up the contamination.
The Texas Department of Transportation plans to inspect the section of I-30 where the accident occurred. The inspection will verify that the damaged roadway is safe to drive on. Meanwhile, traffic will be rerouted to avoid the area.
Most U.S. truck drivers work hard to prevent accidents on their routes. Unfortunately, no driver can avoid all possible accidents. Texas motorists who suffer injuries in a collision have certain legal rights and options to help them obtain compensation and move forward after an accident. An experienced Texas truck accident attorney can help injured motorists in Texas learn about their rights and protect them in court.