Wrong Way Driver Causes Truck Explosion on I-30, Bringing Traffic Mayhem to Fort Worth
As a Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I was shaken by the news that commuters faced another traffic nightmare this morning a following an explosive truck crash which occurred in the early hours of the morning. At approximately 2.30 am Monday a pickup truck was driving the wrong way along I-30 westbound and collided with a gasoline tanker truck just west of Beach Street in Fort Worth. Emergency officials report that the big rig came to a stop over Sycamore Creek, where it burst into flames. By the time fire crews arrived on the scene the fuel-carrying 18-wheeler was engulfed in flames. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the trucker died in the wreck, while the driver of the pickup was transported to hospital to be treated for injuries. The accident caused significant delays for motorists heading into downtown this morning as a large portion of the interstate was shut down, forcing commuters to find alternative routes. TX DOT is anticipating two lanes of Interstate 30 to be closed for up to a month as repairs are made to the bridge.
This tragedy is particularly disconcerting as it comes so soon after the drunk driving accident which caused the truck wreck which shut down I-35W last week. Although it is too early to speculate on the causes of today’s wreck, I have to wonder whether alcohol was yet again a factor since the pickup driver was driving in the wrong direction. If so, it demonstrates just how dangerous it can be to get behind the wheel after hitting the bars. One person is already lost their life and a massive hazard and inconvenience has been created to the public at large. I will be paying close attention to further details as they emerge.
One thing is for certain: we must all remind ourselves to be cautious when driving around large trucks. Although neither of these wrecks were the fault of the truckers, it is important to remember that due to their sheer size and the weight they carry, trucks take a lot longer to stop than other vehicles. If a car were to cut in front of a semi, for example, then the car driver is endangering both their own life and that of the semi driver. Even though a truck driver might perceive a hazard up ahead, their truck may not be responsive enough to avoid it in time, as appear to be the case here.
I’m sure there will more on this story to come…
Mark Anderson is a board certified auto accident and wrongful death lawyer who has worked on truck wrecks across the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1991. His book, 15 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Texas Accident Case is available for fee to injured motorists and their families. For a free consultation on your case call 817-294-1900.
