Dallas, Texas — Three people were injured and a hazardous-materials crew was called to a major highway crash Friday after an 18-wheeler struck multiple vehicles, overturned and spilled about 170 gallons of diesel fuel onto the roadway.
The multi-vehicle collision happened shortly after 11 a.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 25, along Interstate 20 near the Dallas North Tollway and Loop 12, according to reports from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth and The Dallas Morning News.
The crash brought emergency crews to the busy Dallas roadway as officials worked to treat injured motorists, contain spilled fuel and clear the overturned tractor-trailer.
18-Wheeler Crashes Into Multiple Vehicles
According to police and fire officials, the 18-wheeler was traveling in the southbound lanes of Interstate 20 when it reportedly struck several vehicles before crashing into a concrete wall.
911 callers told dispatchers that six vehicles were involved in the collision, including the semi-truck. The force of the crash caused the 18-wheeler to roll onto its side.
Images captured showed the truck lying on its side while fire engines, police vehicles and other emergency equipment surrounded the crash site.
The overturned truck created an additional hazard because its fuel tanks were damaged during the collision.
Three People Taken to Hospitals
Three people were transported to local hospitals following the crash. Fire officials said the injured included a man and woman in their 30s and a woman in her 20s.
Despite the seriousness of the collision, all three were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries and were in stable condition Friday.
There were no reports in the information released of fatalities resulting from the crash. Emergency crews continued working at the scene as investigators examined what led to the chain-reaction collision.
About 170 Gallons of Diesel Spilled
The overturned semi created a major environmental and safety concern when its saddle tanks ruptured, releasing an estimated 170 gallons of diesel fuel onto the highway.
Because spilled fuel can create both fire and environmental hazards, a specialized hazmat crew was dispatched to help contain and clean up the scene.
The fuel was not the only material responders had to deal with.
Officials said the back of the semi contained several totes filled with miscellaneous fluids, including used cooking oil. Hazmat technicians worked to contain those materials while other emergency crews handled the crash and injured motorists.
The presence of multiple substances complicated the cleanup and contributed to the extensive emergency response.
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Interstate 20 Closed in Both Directions
The crash also created significant traffic problems along one of Dallas’ major transportation corridors.
Although the collision occurred in the southbound lanes, northbound lanes were later closed as emergency crews worked at the scene, effectively shutting down travel in both directions.
The closures allowed responders to work around the overturned truck and address the diesel spill without additional traffic moving through the area.
Drivers in the region faced delays while police, firefighters, hazmat personnel and roadway crews worked to clear the wreckage. A spokesman for the North Texas Tollway Authority later confirmed that both directions of the highway had reopened.
Investigation and Cleanup Continue
The reopening marked the end of the major highway shutdown, but the crash left investigators with the task of determining exactly how the multi-vehicle collision began.
Authorities have not indicated in the available information whether speeding, distracted driving, mechanical problems or another factor contributed to the initial impact.
For commuters, the incident served as another reminder of how quickly a serious crash involving a commercial truck can disrupt a major transportation route.
With three people hospitalized, six vehicles reportedly involved and roughly 170 gallons of diesel spilled, emergency crews faced multiple challenges at the scene before the highway could return to normal operations.
Were you caught in the traffic caused by this Dallas crash? Share your experience in the comments and let us know how long the highway closure affected your trip.
