Wreck involving two big rigs shuts down I-10 in Sealy
SEALY, TX
Police say the problem started around 11am Thursday after two semi-trucks hauling loads toward the Houston area collided. The impact caused a huge fire that torched one the 18-wheelers, burned grass nearby and filled the road with debris.
From SkyEye 13 HD, you could see the fire shooting from wrecked big rigs on I-10 in Sealy. Truck driver Rick Wilson says he missed the crash by a few minutes.
"We were back about a couple of miles and I could see the smoke, and I thought it was a house fire because it grew black and thick," Wilson said.
Sealy police say the fire started fter two semis collided. One of the drivers was rushed to the hospital. We spoke with the other driver at the scene.
"I was driving on the right, and somebody crashed behind me," said Richard Reyes.
He says the impact from the crash has left him with pain in the head and neck.
The fiery accident shut down a mile-long stretch of I-10. Hundreds of cars had to be diverted. And dozens of trucks drivers say they were left stranded for hours, because their rigs were too long to turn around.
"Well, it's kind of frustrating. The stopping part is frustrating," said Wilson.
It took several Hazmat crews to clean up the debris and toxins scattered along the highway. Truckers who just missed this wreck by a few moments say they are lucky it wasn't worse.
"Well, the big problem is for me the thought that it could have been us," Wilson said.
Police say they are treating the crash as an accident for now.
The driver of the burned truck was rushed to the hospital with unknown injuries. The other driver was complaining of head and neck pain. Police say it appears both drivers will be OK.
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