***UPDATE 11:30 am 12/20/12***
WFAA is now reporting that 6 were injured in the accident. All six reported to be in stable condition. The SUV is believed to have been involved in the initial wreck, but no more specific information on what caused the crash is available. A car is now also reported to have been in the mix making it a four-vehicle car crash.
Original Entry:
Traffic on I-30 came to a complete stop after an accident involving a large furniture truck. The entire westbound side of the highway was closed, forcing cars to literally turn around and return the way they came. At least three were injured in this multi-vehicle wreck.
Dallas Morning News Blog, truck over I-30 rail
Investigators have been slow to describe exactly what caused the crash, but there are several theories circulating. One suggestion is that the furniture truck which began driving eastbound went (for unknown reasons) across the median and into the other side of the highway. We know an 18-wheeled U. S. Mail truck was involved, and it is one witness’ theory that the furniture truck hit the postal truck. Both were pushed into the guard rail. The furniture truck literally broke through the guard rail and the truck’s cab dangled over the edge of the overpass. Gut-wrenching photos show the truck’s front wheel hanging in the air. It’s miraculous that the whole truck didn’t go reeling off the edge of the highway.
USPS and furniture truck, local NBC image
The postal truck can be seen in one of the images taken by the local NBC station which shows the postal truck and the furniture truck almost nose to nose, supporting the suggestion that the furniture truck was going the wrong-way on the highway.
So far reports mention at least one SUV being involved in a collision. It seems like the initial accident lead to one or more other accidents and it will take some time to discern how each vehicle was involved. At least four ambulances were called to the scene as well as police, fire trucks and a hazmat team.
It’s unclear when I-30 will be fully open again. It will likely be closed for a hours as the emergency crews try to get everyone to safety and clean up the fuel spill.
