June 8th, 2010 | 
Author: HOUSTON, TX – A fiery tanker truck accident injured two people Friday night, June 4, 2010, in Harris County, Texas. The collision involving two smaller vehicles and the 18 wheeler occurred on the North Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8 in Houston near Antoine Drive. The accident area is in the east central section of the state, about 143 miles west of Lake Charles, Louisiana and about 197 miles east of San Antonio, TX.
When Houston firefighters arrived at the scene of the truck accident they found a massive fire with red-hot flames and toxic black smoke filling the air
Shortly after 9:00 p.m. Friday night, a semi tanker truck carrying almost 9000 gallons of fuel was headed west on a service road of the North Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8. As the tanker truck drove through the area near Antoine Drive, a car ran a red light and forced the truck to swerve.
When the tanker veered it crashed into a passenger van. The impact of the truck accident caused the semi tanker to rollover on its side and burst into flames. Witnesses in the area report hearing several booms as the fuel truck exploded. Fuel poured from the tanker, feeding the fire and spilling into the drains of the sewer system.
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When Houston firefighters arrived at the scene of the truck accident they found a massive fire with red-hot flames and toxic black smoke filling the air. They would have to let the fuel burn off for about forty minutes before they could begin to fight the fire. The wreckage of the tanker truck would blaze for more than an hour before firefighters were able to extinguish the gas fire.
The unidentified driver of the semi tanker truck was able to escape from his 18 wheeler and was not injured. He remained at the scene of the fiery truck accident and reportedly spoke to officials.
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The driver of the car that ran the red light and caused the collision was treated and stabilized at the scene before being transported to Houston Northwest Hospital. The driver of the van was taken to Willowbrook Methodist Hospital. According to authorities both drivers suffered non life threatening injuries and were listed in stable condition.
Once the flames were extinguished, highway crews began the work of clearing the debris and wreckage of the tanker truck from the highway.
Officers from the Harris County Sheriff’s Department were at the truck accident site and shut down some of the traffic lanes in the area surrounding the burning tanker. The eastbound lanes remained open, but the right lane and shoulder of the westbound tollway were closed. They also closed the two service roads in both directions and rerouted traffic. For a time Friday night tolls on the westbound lanes were waived because some vehicles were being forced onto the tollway.
At this time no charges have been made and the truck accident remains under investigation.
Gordon Elias & Seely, LLP recommend that if you know anyone who has been injured or killed as the result of a commercial truck accident involving a semi truck, 18 wheeler, big rig, tractor trailer, dump truck or bus, tell them to immediately contact a qualified truck accident lawyer for advice. It is imperative to do this as soon as possible to ensure that evidence is preserved. For more information about Texas trucking laws, truck injury causes and victims rights, contact expert nationwide truck accident attorneys Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP. For a free initial consultation, talk to a Houston truck accident lawyer at 800.773.6770.
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