Reports indicate that a big rig had a blowout while traveling down Interstate 10 near San Jacinto yesterday morning and the result was a fatality. Fire crews and hazardous materials quick response teams struggled to put out the fire which was Northwest of downtown Houston and caused a huge traffic jam on both sides of Interstate 10.
As reported, a witness observed a tire blowout on the tractor-trailer and the driver appearing to lose control and striking the highway divider bursting into flames. Many of the 18 wheelers on the roadway today have the gas tank's exposed on the side of the tractor. Apparently the gas tank caught fire when the rig contacted the divider.
The witness heard an explosion and then saw the flames from the big rig. Reports also indicate that the driver appeared to perish in the fire and that rescuers could not help them due to the intense fire.
Tire failure can lead to very serious consequences such as this fatal accident. The motor carrier has an obligation to ensure that the trucks are in a safe and proper operating condition before they are dispatched. For further information on this Houston area fatal truck accident see the report from chron.com.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston semi truck accident attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Houston truck accident attorney call the Baumgartner firm.
