BEAUMONT, Texas — One person has been killed and two injured following a wreck early Tuesday along westbound Interstate 10 just east of Vidor.
The fatal wreck shut down both the east and westbound lanes of I-10 near Doty Road for nearly six hours according to The Texas Department of Public Safety.
The driver of a Dodge 3/4-ton pickup truck, towing a car hauler with three vehicles, told troopers he was headed west on Interstate 10 and had pulled over due to mechanical problems. The Dodge driver was partially in the left traffic lane around 5:50 a.m., according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
After the driver of the Dodge pickup had gotten out of his truck to work on a mechanical issue on the trailer, a westbound Chevrolet pickup struck the trailer, the release said. The Chevrolet pickup had a total of three people inside.
The passenger in the front of the Chevrolet pickup, Jaylon Kurt Harrison, 21, of Broussard, Louisiana, was pronounced dead at the scene by Orange County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Rodney Price.
The driver of the Dodge pickup, 57-year-old Jose Soriano from Houston, was taken by ambulance to a Southeast Texas hospital with serious injuries, according to the release.
The driver of the Chevrolet, 46-year-old Richard Thibeaux of Louisiana, was also taken to the hospital for treatment.
The rear seat passenger in the Chevrolet was not injured, according to DPS.
As Troopers continue to investigate the wreck both east and westbound traffic has been diverted to the service roads.
From a Texas Department of Public Safety Updated News Release...
CORRECTION:
The total number of occupants in the Chevrolet pickup truck was three (3), not four (4) as previously reported.
UPDATE:
At approximately 5:50a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a multiple vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in Orange County. The crash occurred just beyond Doty Road.
The preliminary DPS crash investigation indicates that a 3/4-ton Dodge pickup truck towing a car hauler with three vehicles was traveling westbound on Interstate 10. According to the driver of the Dodge, his vehicle experienced mechanical issues and was disabled partially in the left lane of traffic. The driver exited the vehicle to work on the mechanical issue when the trailer portion of his vehicle was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck.
The driver of the Dodge, 57-year-old Jose Soriano of Houston, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet, 46-year-old Richard Thibeaux of Louisiana, was transported to St. Elizabeth hospital with serious injuries.
The front passenger of the Chevrolet, a 21-year-old resident of Broussard, Louisiana, was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Rodney Price at the scene. His name will not be released until next of kin has been notified.
The rear passenger of the Chevrolet, also a resident of Louisiana, was not injured.
All westbound traffic lanes of Interstate 10, near Doty Road, remain closed. Motorists are urged to find an alternate travel route.
The fatal crash remains under investigation and there are no additional details available at this time.
From a Texas Department of Public Safety News Release...
At approximately 5:50a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a multiple vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in Orange County. The crash occurred just beyond Doty Road.
The preliminary DPS crash investigation indicates that a 3/4-ton Dodge pickup truck towing a car hauler with three vehicles was traveling westbound on Interstate 10.
According to the driver of the Dodge, his vehicle experienced mechanical issues and was disabled partially in the left lane of traffic.
The driver exited the vehicle to work on the mechanical issue when the trailer portion of his vehicle was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck.
The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet and two of his passengers were also transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The front passenger of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Rodney Price at the scene.
At this time, all westbound traffic lanes of Interstate 10, near Doty Road, remain closed while the crash investigation continues. Motorists are urged to find an alternate route. Expect delays.
Additional details will be released as information is confirmed.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
