One dead in fiery nine vehicle crash on Texas interstate after big rig driver failed to slow for traffic, DPS says

One person was killed and several others were injured in a major multi-vehicle collision in Hewitt, Texas, on Wednesday morning.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) was notified of the crash on I-35 in Hewitt around 6 a.m. on January 15.

Authorities say that six passenger vehicles and three semi trucks were involved in the fiery collision.

TXDPS Sergeant Howard stated that “there was a truck-tractor semi trailer that was driving north on IH-35 near mile marker 326 and traffic was slow because there was a road crew doing some type of road work. As they were doing that road work, and traffic starts slowing down, this truck tractor still came in at a high rate of speed, crashing into several other vehicles and truck tractors in his path.”

Jennifer James, 39, passed away at the scene. Six other people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment of injuries.

Transportation officials warn of major traffic delays in the area as northbound I-35 traffic is being diverted to Exit 328 (Spring Valley/Sun Valley).

This is a developing story.