Driver Dies After His 18-wheeler Plummets from Bridge in Houston

A Houston truck driver was pronounced dead after his 18-wheeler plummeted 150 feet from the Ship Channel bridge on Wednesday.

About the Houston Trucking Accident

The accident was reported around 8:20 a.m. on the northbound side of the Interstate 610 East Loop.

According to Houston police and one witness, a smaller vehicle cut the tractor-trailer off, causing the truck driver to veer off course to avoid a crash.

The 18-wheeler broke through the railing of the Ship Channel bridge, plummeted 150 feet, and landed upside down on a section of the Huntsman International plant on the south banks of the bayou.

Police say the driver died as rescuers worked to free him from the truck’s cabin.

Results of the 18-Wheeler Accident in Houston

The accident caused several lanes of the freeway to close, and drivers were asked to avoid the area where the crash took place.

The Texas Department of Transportation is evaluating the condition of the bridge and will be working to repair the area for several days.

Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics – 2017

Information below provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

• There were 14,299 serious injury crashes in Texas in 2017 with 17,546 people sustaining a serious injury.
• The annual vehicle miles traveled in Texas during 2017 reached 274.580 billion, an increase of 1.22% over the 271.263 billion traveled in 2016.
• Fatalities in traffic crashes in rural areas of the state accounted for 52.4% of the state’s traffic fatalities. There were 1,950 deaths in rural traffic crashes.
• Single vehicle, run-off the road crashes resulted in 1,313 deaths in 2017. This was 35.29% of all motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2017.
• 761 people were killed in crashes occurring in intersections or related to an intersection.  There were 552 people killed in head-on crashes in 2017.
• There were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2017.
• Based on reportable crashes in 2017:
  •  1 person was killed every 2 hours 21 minutes
  •  1 person was injured every 2 minutes 4 seconds

Injured in a Trucking Accident? Contact Thomas J. Henry

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury after being involved in an 18-wheeler accident, contact Thomas J. Henry immediately. Our experienced commercial trucking injury attorneys are available to respond to semi-truck accidents at any hour, day or night. Our lawyers understand that the immediate acquisition of evidence is paramount to understanding how the accident occurred. We will take immediate action on your case.

Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Remember, your choice does matter. Contact us today for a free legal consultation. Attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends.