I-30 Reopened After Fiery Crash

An early Friday morning accident and fuel spill snarled rush-hour traffic on one of DFW's busiest interstates, as crews worked to clean up the mess.
 
Two 18-wheelers and a sedan were involved in a crash at about 1:30 a.m. on east-bound Interstate 30 before Sylvan Avenue, just west of downtown Dallas.  The crash closed both directions of the highway for several hours.  The westbound lanes were re-opened early Friday and one eastbound lane of I-30 was reopened after 10 a.m.

Firefighters found one of the 18-wheelers engulfed in flames and discovered fuel spilled across both sides of the interstate and into Coombs Creek below.
 
The tanker truck was carrying about 7,800 gallons of gasoline and 950 gallons of diesel fuel, according to Jason Evans, Dallas Fire & Rescue spokesperson.

The fire also spread across both sides of the interstate.
 
The 35-year-old driver of the tanker truck, as well as occupants of the car, 21 and 23 year-old females, were taken to Dallas Methodist Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Evans said.

The condition of the driver of the other 18-wheeler is unknown, and various sources said it may not have been involved in the wreck.
 
Hazmat crews set up barriers to absorb the fuel spilled near storm drains along the side of the interstate. They do not know how much fuel spilled into the creek.
 
The west-bound lanes of I-30 were re-opened shortly after 6 a.m., but the east-bound lanes remain closed. 

Crews continue working to clear the debris. Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Shannon says the damaged roadway will be examined before all lanes of I-30 are allowed to reopen.

The Storm Water Department has been asked to assess the condition of the creek water.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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