Monday, June 22, 2015

1 TRUCK DRIVER KILLED WHEN AN 18-WHEELER RAN OFF THE 225 FREEWAY AT ALLEN GENOA AND STRUCK A PIPELINE, CREATING MASSIVE CHEMICAL RELEASE OF POLYPROPYLENE.





JUNE 22, 2015

HOUSTON, TEXAS

The westbound lanes of Highway 225 at Allen Genoa have reopened after a fiery wreck that ruptured a chemical line.

The eastbound lanes remain closed, and may stay that way until at least 8 p.m. Monday, specifically affected is the stretch of 225 between Scarborough and 610.

"We’re dealing with a three to nine mile pipeline. They did cap it off but we're waiting for it to release all the product," Houston Fire Department Asst. Chief Blake White said.

The accident happened at 1:12 p.m., according to Houston Transtar.
According to Houston police, an 18-wheeler ran off the freeway and struck a pipeline on the Lyondell property.

The driver of the rig was killed.

The line contains propylene, according to the Houston Fire Department,
The Chief described the propylene as highly flammable substance used to make propane.

By 6 p.m. Monday, Hazmat and fire crews had dumped tens of thousands of gallons of water on the broken line to keep things cool and to disperse the chemical.

"If we were in a different area with different wind, you might have evacuations but we are OK for now," White said.

It was unclear Monday night what caused the accident, but this is Texas and people drive really crazy.  Texas leads the nation in traffic deaths, total deaths and total deaths involving trucks.  It also has the highest traffic death rate at about 1.5 people killed per 10,000 citizens.  In other words, if you are in Texas, beware, you may not make it back home.