Wednesday morning around 4:30 a.m., a tanker truck carrying an as yet unidentified chemical exploded in the northbound lanes of the Eastex Freeway close to Bush Intercontinental Airport in northeast Houston. Our Houston truck accident lawyers note that the tanker truck crash happened on U.S. 59 by the east interchange leading to the airport.
The driver died in the crash, and hazmat crews closed both sides of the Eastex Freeway to contain the fire. All lanes of the freeway did not reopen until about 8 hours after the tanker truck explosion. Hazmat crews were worried about the possible damage to the freeway as well as the possibility of winds spreading the fire into the nearby woods. The hazmat crews were also trying to determine what sort of chemical the truck was carrying when it exploded. (Sources: KTRK abc13.com and Associated Press, 12/26/12)
The cause of the tragic post-Christmas tanker truck crash and the identity of the driver were not disclosed. The sympathies of our Houston truck accident lawyers are with the family of the deceased truck driver at this difficult time.
The Texas Gulf Coast has a High Concentration of Industries involving Hazardous Materials; TxDOT has Special Procedures for Cleaning Related Hazmat Spills
Here in the Houston – Gulf Coast region with its multitude of refineries and chemical plants, we have more than an average familiarity with Hazmat incidents and procedures. We’re used to shelter in place orders after fires, explosions, and spills lead to hazardous conditions in our area.
Because our state sees a lot of traffic in hazardous materials due to the energy and chemical industries, the Texas Department of Transportation has special procedures to clean up a zone where a wreck has left a hazardous spill or residue. Texas authorities have become very efficient at cleaning up accident scenes left by wrecked tanker trucks and other vehicles. Learn more accident cleanup in Houston: click on this article by our Houston truck accident lawyers.