August 12th, 2011 | 
Author: HOUSTON, TX – In a bizzarre semi truck accident in downtown Houston, TX, the dump trailer of a semi truck crashed into a freeway sign on Interstate 45 on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.
Up-ended container trailer on the northbound I-45 in Houston, TX after the vehicle's hydraulic lift engaged while the truck was in motion.
Houston is in Harris County, Texas in the central part of the state, about 162 miles southeast of Austin.
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The accident happened around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday amidst rush-hour traffic. The freak accident happened when the trailer’s hydraulic lifting mechanism began to engage while the truck was in motion. Reports say that the dump trailer, which was hauling a load of gravel at the time, was at a 90 degree angle when it crashed into the metal scaffolding of the overhead sign.
Map showing location of tractor-trailer accident on the northbound I-45 in Houston, TX near the Airline Dr. Exit.
It is unclear exactly why the hydraulic lift began to raise the dump trailer when it did. Officials don’t know if it was mechanical failure or human error. The semi cab separated from the trailer after crashing into the sign, snapping hydraulic lines and spilling hydraulic fluid all over the freeway.
The semi truck driver was issued a citation, although it is believed that he was not intoxicated at the time of the accident. The driver said that the dump trailer began to rise as he was driving down the freeway but he didn’t notice it until he crashed into the sign.
Officials estimate that the cleanup and repairs could reach $100,000.
All the lanes of the freeway had to be closed in order to repair the damaged freeway sign scaffolding because it spanned across both directions of traffic. Cleanup crews worked long hours because they wanted to complete the work before 5:00 a.m. in time for the morning commute.
The incident snarled traffic for hours in the sweltering heat.
The trailer was removed at about 9:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, but crews still had many hours of work ahead of them because the scaffolding and overhead sign was too damaged.
For more information about Texas trucking laws, truck injury causes and victims’ rights, contact truck accident lawyers Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP for truck accident advice. For a free initial consultation, talk to our Houston truck accident attorneys at 1.800.773.6770.
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