A truck driver has lost his life and others have sustained injuries after a big rig hauling liquid nitrogen slammed into a restaurant in Fort Bend County, Texas.
Trucker Does Not Survive After Crashing Into Restaurant
The crash happened around 9 a.m. this morning.
Update: 18-wheeler entirely inside Shogun restaurant. pic.twitter.com/eUQCjrMM5E
— FBCSO Texas (@FBCSO) October 26, 2017
According to police, the truck driver was traveling south on Grand Parkway when he suddenly left the roadway, drove over the median and a feeder road, crashed into two vehicles, and then collided with the Shogun Japanese Grill restaurant.
The force of the crash pushed the truck all the way inside the restaurant. The neighboring nail salon was also damaged by the crash.
Nail salon next door to restaurant also damaged when truck came through the wall. pic.twitter.com/JKv8RjWiXJ
— Major Chad Norvell (@chad_norvell) October 26, 2017
Medical Emergency Believed To Be The Cause Of Crash
When authorities found the truck driver, he was slumped over the wheel of the truck, leading them to believe that he may have suffered from some sort of medical episode.
Update: The driver of the 18-wheeler has passed. We believe the crash was caused by a medical issue he was experiencing.
— FBCSO Texas (@FBCSO) October 26, 2017
He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Three other people were hurt in the crash, but police say that the crash could have been “catastrophic” if the restaurant had been open when the truck collided with it. The restaurant opens for lunch at 11 a.m.
Fortunate they were not open for lunch. Opens at 1100. Shogun Restaurant pic.twitter.com/FIlBoKK64M
— Major Chad Norvell (@chad_norvell) October 26, 2017
Though the truck was hauling liquid nitrogen, police say that there was no leak and that there is no hazmat threat. Nevertheless, the building was evacuated.
The identity of the truck driver has not been released. Sources say that he is in his 60’s.
The incident remains under investigation.