LA SALLE COUNTY, Texas – A truck driver is dead and another was critically injured following a fiery crash in La Salle County Wednesday afternoon.
The deadly crash between an oil tanker and a big rig hauling construction equipment happened at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 72 near the La Salle County and McMullen County line.
| 061913 TANKER CRASH WEBVO | 19tankerwreckfive |
|---|
According to DPS Troopers at the scene, the accident appears to have been caused when the driver of the semi hauling construction equipment failed to stop at the intersection.
As the driver tried to turn onto Highway 97 he slammed into the tanker truck that was attempting to turn onto Highway 72.
The tanker truck, filled with 200 barrels of crude oil, exploded on impact and erupted into a huge fireball.
The resulting fire was so intense it melted highway signs and left both truck cabs unrecognizable. The driver of the flat bed was killed on impact.
The driver of the tanker truck survived the accident and was airlifted to SAMMC in San Antonio with severe burns and other critical injuries.
DPS is continuing to investigate the crash.
For a list of recent stories Tim Gerber has done, click here.