Man dead after crash with big rig carrying oversized load shears roof off car in Tomball, HCSO says

TOMBALL, Texas (KTRK) -- A passenger in an SUV is dead after a crash involving an 18-wheeler carrying an oversized load on FM-2978 in Tomball.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the crash happened at 24999 FM-2978, near where the roadway becomes Hufsmith-Kohrville Road.

SkyEye flew over the scene, where a Chevy Equinox was spotted with its roof torn off.

The 18-wheeler was carrying an oversized load of large steel beams. The beams extended several feet past the flatbed of the trailer. SkyEye spotted an oversized load sign on the trailer with red flags on the ends of the beams.

According to Lt. Simon Cheng, the driver of the 18-wheeler didn't make his turn and backed up to try again. As the big rig was reversing, the driver of the SUV slammed into the back of it.

The crash sheared the roof off the SUV. A 38-year-old man sitting in the backseat on the passenger side was pronounced dead at the scene, Cheng said.

Two other adults and a 13-year-old girl who was sitting in the front passenger seat were transported to the hospital in fair condition and are expected to survive. Cheng said the driver was undergoing surgery.

The investigation into what led up to the deadly crash is ongoing. Cheng said investigators are working to recreate the scene and are looking into the documents and circumstances of the transport to make sure the driver and company did not have any violations.

Investigators are also working to determine how fast the SUV was traveling at the time of the crash. Cheng said the driver would be interviewed after their surgery.

They are also investigating if the 18-wheeler was in violation of backing without safety.

Cheng said an escort was not necessary for that particular type of oversized load.

All northbound lanes of FM-2978 were closed as crews worked to clear the scene.