Police in Houston, Texas, have confirmed that a truck driver lost his life in a crash on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston Police say that the crash occurred on the North Loop East service road near the Hardy Toll Road around 1:20 p.m. on December 5.
Police say that a tanker truck hauling ethanol was westbound on 610 when the driver took an exit and lost control of his vehicle.
The truck overturned and erupted into flames.
#BreakingNews Exclusive footage of tanker #explosion on 1200 North Loop E Fwy Svc Rd near Cochran st in #Houston @abc13houston @KHOU @KPRC2Taisha @FireChiefofHFD @hou_roadweather pic.twitter.com/I9WbLVIJtH
— Jaime Garcia (@PastorJaimeG) January 5, 2021
The fire spread to a nearby building and caused major damage to the structure.
The driver was killed in the collision, police confirmed.
Police say that the cause of the crash is still under investigation, and that witnesses have reported that the tanker was traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred.
The North Loop East westbound service road and the Hardy Toll Road southbound to the 610 Loop westbound are closed. Crews are working to clean up the hazmat and lengthy road closures are expected.
TxDOT crews are assisting with fatal truck fire/ hazmat incident on I-610 North Loop at Hardy Toll Rd. @HoustonFire crews continue to work the scene. Currently the I-610 westbound frontage road at Hardy Toll Rd. is closed along with multiple ramps at the location. pic.twitter.com/fA39muLTL5
— TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) January 5, 2021