Friday, January 9, 2015

2 DEAD AFTER MULTIPLE WRECKS SHUT DOWN I-20 WEST IN GREGG COUNTY TEXAS



2 DEAD AFTER MULTIPLE WRECKS SHUT DOWN I-20 WEST IN GREGG COUNTY TEXAS









GREGG COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - Two people were killed after separate wrecks temporarily shut down portions of Interstate 20 early Friday morning, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Two semi trucks collided early Friday morning with one catching fire. Photo Source: Sabine Fire Dept.
One wreck temporarily shut down traffic near the Interstate 20 and Highway 31 exit. The crash, which occurred at exit 589 at the railroad bridge, was cleared by noon Friday.
Officials say a vehicle traveling westbound on Interstate 20 slammed into parked vehicle on the shoulder of the road. Witnesses say the vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic before it hit the parked semitrailer. The people in the first vehicle were killed.
Fire department officials say the vehicle was licensed out of Mexico and was hauling a load of television sets when it struck the 18-wheeler. On impact, the TVs were ejected from the car. The vehicle had a sleeping chamber in it, where a passenger was asleep. Officials say the person likely never woke up during the wreck.

The wreck happened a few hours after a separate 18-wheeler collision on Interstate 20.

Officials say that the early morning wreck happened about 1 a.m. and involved two 18-wheelers that collided and caught on fire. The collision shut down the westbound lanes of the interstate at mile marker 583. One lane has been reopened.

Drivers should seek alternate routes to avoid the area but those traveling into the area will be routed to Highway 42N to FM 1252W then to Highway 135S and back to I-20.

Authorities have not released the cause of the crash. According to the Sabine Fire Department, one person was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

HazMat crews are on the scene to clean up a fuel spill. Crews are working to open one lane to traffic but expect it to take several more hours, according to the Texas Department of Transportation Authorities say it could take most of Friday before the lanes are reopened.