Hazmat crash, spill closes highway; 3 taken to hospitals

18-wheeler crashes on Hwy. 181 near Laguna Road, spills ammonia

SAN ANTONIOUPDATE: TxDOT says it is working to reopen the road by late Monday night. A spokeswoman says the road will reopen after the wrecked vehicles are removed from the scene.

(Previously)

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A truck carrying ammonia crashed Monday afternoon in south Bexar County, spilling some of the chemical on the ground and prompting the closure of a highway in both directions.

Bexar County spokeswoman Monica Ramos said a truck carrying two 500 gallon containers of ammonia crashed with a pickup truck on Highway 181 near Laguna Road, Ramos said. One of the containers fell off the bed of the truck, spilling a significant portion of the drum. 

Three people were taken to local hospitals. Two of them inhaled ammonia and one suffered injuries related to the crash.

The ammonia only had 19% concentration of the chemical, which didn't pose serious risk or harm to the residents in the immediate area, Ramos said.

No evacuations were ordered after the air was deemed healthy.

The southbound lanes of Highway 181 south and Max Road are closed, and so are the northbound lanes of Highway 181 South near Laguna Road.

Ramos said officials are not sure how long the highway will be closed.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Refresh this page for updates on this developing story.


About the Author

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

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