Race Day Live (San Jacinto County, TX) – On Friday, Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers conducted door-to-door outreach, urging residents in proximity to the location of a fatal accident in San Jacinto County to evacuate due to a sulfur dioxide release from a chemical tanker.
The collision occurred on FM 1725 in proximity to Highway 150 and FM 3081.
Sergeant Sammy Lattner of the Texas Department of Public Safety provided an update regarding the situation on Friday afternoon.
Lattner said the incident was reported around 6:30 a.m. The eighteen-wheeler was traveling northbound on FM 1725 when it departed from the roadway and subsequently overturned, resulting in a rupture of the tank. The motorist succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision.
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Lattner stated that the tanker was transporting approximately 2,800 liters of sulfur dioxide. Exposure to elevated concentrations of the chemical may result in significant health repercussions, including respiratory difficulties, dermal irritation, and ocular harm.
Due to the leak, a shelter-in-place directive was issued for approximately 60 to 80 residences in proximity to the accident site. At this juncture, Lattner indicated that law enforcement officers are currently conducting door-to-door visits to residences in the vicinity, requesting that the inhabitants evacuate the area until the situation can be resolved securely. Although Lattner stated that the evacuation is not compulsory, it is highly recommended.
Hazardous materials response teams have deployed air monitoring devices in a perimeter extending approximately 200 yards from the impact site. Lattner stated that no issues have been reported at the site at this time.
Lattner stated that efforts are ongoing to ascertain the precise number of individuals who were hospitalized; however, it was confirmed that 29 pupils, along with the bus driver, were transported to a hospital in Conroe for treatment after the school bus traversed the area, unaware of the leak.
“They drove through the crash scene inadvertently not knowing what was on the truck,” Lattner said.
He stated that several individuals on the bus expressed concerns following the onset of migraines and certain respiratory issues. Lattner stated that they have since received treatment and been discharged.
“It was more to be on the safe side to get them checked out,” Lattner said.
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Multiple agencies were summoned to provide assistance in the cleanup operations and facilitate the evacuation of adjacent residences and commercial establishments.
Authorities have verified that the roadway has been closed within a one-mile radius of the accident location. Personnel from various agencies providing assistance were positioned three miles away from the incident site.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has indicated that the roadway is unlikely to be reopened before Saturday morning at the earliest. Investigators have not identified any witnesses to the crash, but are urging anyone with information that may assist investigators to call the Texas Highway Patrol Office at (936) 699-7340.
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