Sunday, May 10, 2015

1 KILLED IN FIERY CAR-TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK CRASH CLOSING DOWN I-27 IN LUBBOCK, TEXAS




MAY 9, 20156

LUBBOCK, TEXAS

One person was killed in a crash involving a car and tractor-trailer Saturday evening on Interstate 27.

The crash happened before 7 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the freeway near 50th Street, according to Lubbock police.

Officers closed all lanes of traffic for more than three hours on the interstate as the tractor-trailer was blocking northbound lanes while southbound lanes were covered in debris from the crash and the mangled car.

The black car was on fire and Jaws of Life was requested to help remove trapped victims.

Details were scant Saturday evening as police received conflicting witness reports, with some people telling officers two people were injured in the black car.

Shortly before 10 p.m., investigators believed the one person who died in the car was the vehicle’s sole occupant. The driver of the tractor-trailer suffered minor injuries and was taken to University Medical Center.

Officers could only find one person in the vehicle. Though initially listed as being seriously injured, a sergeant at the scene said the person died and remained trapped in the vehicle.

A crowd of more than 50 people gathered along both sides of the highway as first responders searched the area. 

People watching from the access roads above the crash were asked to leave by officers, but many remained after 8 p.m.

The Lubbock police Accident Investigation Unit responded to the scene and the crash remained under investigation.