DPS UPDATE: 12-20-12, 12:36 p.m. 

 

 

SHELBY COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently investigating a two-vehicle crash on US 96, about five miles south of Center.

 

The preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 5:45 a.m., a 2012 GMC pickup was traveling north on US 96. For unknown reasons the driver of the pickup drove over into the southbound lanes and struck the side of a 2012 Peterbilt truck tractor semi-trailer. The truck tractor semi-trailer then drove off the roadway and overturned; spilling diesel fuel and then catching fire.

 

The driver of the GMC is identified as 28-year-old Andrew Williams, from San Augustine, TX. Williams was transported to Center Hospital for treatment. The driver of the Peterbilt is identified as 46-year-old Rodney Christian, from Lufkin, TX. Christian was also transported to a Center hospital for treatment.

 

A HazMat crew and first responders are on scene conducting cleanup efforts. Motorist should use caution while traveling through his area. This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.

 

 

 

Original Story:

 

 

A little while before 6 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2018, a two-vehicle wreck occurred on US Highway 96 South about five miles outside of Center, Texas about a half-mile past FM 417. The wreck involved a blueish gray GMC pickup truck and a fuel tanker belonging to Morgan Oil Fuels of Nacogdoches. The tanker was reported by an official with the company to be carrying some diesel fuel.

 

 

 

Fuel Tanker Truck 

 

 

 

GMC Pickup Truck

 

 

Only the drivers of each vehicle were involved in the wreck and no fatalities occurred on the scene. The driver of the GMC pickup truck was hospitalized with unknown injuries and was put on a stretcher and taken to a hospital by Allegiance Mobile Health ambulance service.

 

 

 

Allegiance Mobile Health Ambulance

 

 

Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and blockaded the road, blocking traffic in both directions. The Center Fire Department, Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's office, Allegiance Mobile Health, Texas DPS troopers, and Hughes Wrecker service all responded. The Center Fire Department keep the fuel tank of the tanker truck from catching fire but the truck cab itself burn up entirely. 

 

 

 

Hughes Wrecker Service

 

 

The roadway was cleared of the wreckage by emergency services and Hughes Wrecker service hauled away the GMC pickup truck. The roadway was reopened and traffic resumed at around 7:40 a.m. More to follow on this story as is it officially released by Texas DPS officials.

 

 

 

Fuel Tanker Truck