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Subscribe to RSSSome motorists caught in a huge Texas highway pileup are being credited with saving lives of other victims of a crash that spotlights dangers in holiday travel. NBC's Tom Costello reports.
Updated at 6:50 p.m. ET: Two people died and scores of people were hurt Thursday when up to 140 vehicles collided in in dense fog Southeast Texas in a pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
The chain-reaction collision occurred in extremely foggy conditions at about 8:45 a.m. Thanksgiving Day on Interstate 10 southwest of Beaumont, a Gulf Coast city about 80 miles east of Houston.
A man and a woman were killed in a Chevy Suburban SUV crushed by a tractor trailer, the Texas Department of Public Safety told KFDM-TV.
Jefferson County sheriff's Deputy Rod Carroll said in a news release that 80 to 90 people were transported to hospitals with 10 to 12 of those in serious to critical condition. He said 140 to 150 vehicles were involved in the pileup.
According to DPS, a crash on the eastbound side of the highway led to other accidents in a dangerous chain reaction. There were multiple crashes on the other side of the highway as well.
"We have 18-wheelers on top of cars, we have cars on top of cars. It's just catastrophic," Carroll told NBC News.
Over 100 vehicles collided on Interstate 10 near Beaumont, Tex., on Thursday, as many were headed to visit family for Thanksgiving. Two were killed and 51 were injured, eight critically, as first responders pulled survivors out of wreckage that went for miles. NBC's Janet Shamlian reports.
He told The Associated Press the fog was so thick that deputies did not immediately realize they were dealing with multiple accidents.
I-10's eastbound lanes were re-opened Thursday evening after more than eight hours.
Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Stephanie Davis told KFDM that two people in an SUV died after the crash. She said at least 100 cars and trucks were involved in the accident.
Carroll said uninjured drivers tried to help as authorities sorted through the wreckage.
"It's just people helping people," Carroll said. "The foremost thing in this holiday season is how other travelers were helping us when we were overwhelmed, sitting and holding, putting pressure on people that were injured."
The highway had been crowded with motorists traveling during the holiday. Many of the vehicles were moving close to the posted speed of 70 mph despite dense fog that limited visibility, Carroll said.
KBMT
Some of the injured on Interstate 10 in Texas are treated near the crash scene Thursday.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Stupid is as stupid does - you mean you don't drive at 70 when you can't see the front end of your car also? - and they allow 85 on other sections of highway - imagine if everyone had been doing 90 as I'm sure they do now - so much for public officials actually being interested in public safety. Too bad you can't legislate/prosecute stupid.
Idiots...
am sorry to hear of this accident. I am a truck driver with 34 yrs over the road. I am a lucky one with no accidents. I do not consider myself a bully of the road as J. Hicks has named us. I allso have a dash cam on my truck, would be willing to show J. Hicks how many times a day I am cut off by cars. Several times a day I have to hit my brakes to keep from coming into contact with these highway racers. It's not always the truckers fault. My prayers to those who lost the members of their familys..
Bullies of the road? J. Hicks must not be a good driver or he is mixing tractor trailers with the noncommercial SUVs. Truckers do not speed at insane rates, do not try to make circus manuevers, and are one of the few groups of travelers who are still helpful.
Truckers and SUV owners when will they learn and respect and value the lives of others.
Driving faster than what you can see should be a crime. Senseless injuries and deaths.
The road should have be close or the speed limit decreased and highly enforced.
child of jehovah do you have a clue? obviously not. 80,000 lbs verses 3,000 lbs. your a jerk. how about the consideration on your part. just like i said you hav'nt a clue. where will your kosher foods come from? "by palestinian camel. give me a brake. or shut the hell up
Thats it always blame the Proffessional who have more road time exp then you will ever have and the excuse of a SUV or Rv what does a SUV have to do with speed ?does it matter ? I guess prius toyo drivers know it all like when you vote for Liers(Obama) and the result is devestaing his record speaks fool! give it 6 months and you wil wish you never will vote Democrat again!
you can Jack knife and crash at 10 miles per hour single or pulling a trailer if the fog is thick and In Tx this time of year it s Humid and slick wet roads So be quiet fool!
just in time for thanksgiving what a bunch of turkeys.
Tailing and speeding, that is the problem. People think that they will not get anywhere unless they are tailing and speeding. Most people drive everywhere like it is a race.
This accident was an awful event, made worse and more tragic in the needless deaths of the two people and the terrible injuries beyond the already severe injuries suffered in the mashup. A terrible consequence of driving too fast for conditions. Preventable? Probably, but not certainly. Any number of factors could have been involved in the moments preceding the crash.
Reduce speed by four or five mph with each additional hazard; extend following distance an additional half-second or 75ft with each additional hazard; HAZARD = fog, rain, darkness, volume of vehicles on roadway, sun in eyes, pulling trailer, aggressive drivers in traffic, there are more, you'll recognize more hazards with experience, training, and conscientious safe driver habits.
As a truck driver of 30 + years i have seen and heard most of the BS stories andSame old BS how can you judge distance and and speed,In "Fog! No Road markings to speak of on I 10 so I get off waay before when I hear bad news when i hear drivers going west bound or east N & S bound the CB is our life line and I believe all drivers should have one in their Vehicles period
I keep a Scanner/w weather channels and my CB is also equiped with SW and to keep up in the winter time as with my satalite Radio!
I would rather be late then Sorry!
The bottom line is that people chose to travel at near posted speeds despite the dangerous driving conditions. The end result was 2 dead and 80 in the hospital. That's the math and the figures don't lie.
Everyone was probably driving like a bat out of hell like usual.
Driving 65+ mph in fog so thick that the oficers that responded couldn't tell it was a multi-vehicle crash is insane. This is what happens when folks do it. Ah well. My condolences.
Texas, please, let's get back to the terms for your secession from the Union. I know many Americans that believe this would be a better country without you.
And I know many who would be glad to dump the idiot ski bunnys from colorado...Bunch of self centered idiots like you john..
This type of situation doesn't just happen in Texas. We have more than our fair share of fog events right here in Pennsylvania, especially in the northern tier counties, along I-80 and the ridges of the Allegheny Mountains with plenty of accidents and fatalities.
Many people will push their luck no matter where they're at, often times with deadly results for themselves and others around them.
It's better to get somewhere late than NEVER!!!
See this almost happen by the river where I live. Its like some people think they can see better than others. They drive the speed limit or faster.
I feel terrible for all involved in these terrible crashes. Looks like such ugly domino effect. Honestly though, it makes me wonder why some people have to drive SO fast, in harsh road conditions. I see with any nasty weather and it does irritate me because they not only endanger themselves but others as well. Your going to get were your going, just slow down and try to have common sense when driving.
Jeebus Crymony man, WTF?
Pretty sad thanksgiving in beaumont.
I am a commercial fisherman,when the fog rolls in we usually slow the vessel down because 10 mph could be dangerous when there are vessels within 1 or 2 miles. somehow people should be required to attend a refresher course everytime they renew their dirvers license ESPECIALY IN TEJAS the state of Guns and Money.
It's Texas dumb ass. Not Tejas...And this happens a lot in many other states....
@cmach: He meant to put Tejas, because alot of idiots prenounce it that way. Just like all the idiot's here in Nevada who like to say, "Nev...adah". It's a form of sarcasim you didn't get.
Oh I got it speakthetruth...And you're right about idiots....:)
Never ceases to amaze me, the logic of people when their in a hurry to get somewhere. I'm a tow driver here in Nevada working til late tonight on Thanksgiving, and i can tell you that i have already cleaned up three accidents whre people were in to much of a hurry and one will not be making past the hospital tonight. I had to recover a motorcycle from down the mountainside as well as two inner city crashes. The biker is in the air force and went to the hospital with sevear body damage. (he'll survive thou). The car crashes weren't to bad, so they'll get to have turkey atleast. I was once told that a person can be smart, but people are stupid. So put a few backseat drivers in a car and Wha..la, instant idiots on the road. And this doesn't include the real dumb one's who drink and drive! ****Happy Thanksgiving to all!****
I'll tell you that this accident does not surprise me. I travel that stretch of interstate at least once a month from Houston to GA and its death trap for a few reasons. First the speed limit is 70-75 MPH and the large trucks that hit that stretch are traveling 85 or more. Second the towing on that stretch is ridicules. You have these Mexican/Latin transporters towing these junk cars doing 45-55 with traffic moving 70-80 MPH. In fog I have come up on them within feet and have swerved to avoid hitting them many times. There are many of them and sometimes all in a row so that you have to stop suddenly or swerve to avoid hitting them and these caravans go for miles with as many as 50 or 60 of them towing these junk cars mostly from LA to TX; East to west. I have often said to my wife these morons are going to cause a pile up on this interstate and someone is going to get killed well here you go I’ll bet that speed or these idiots had something to do with this accident.
The real idiots are the TX State Troopers they should pull them off the Highway and make them take route 90. In addition these cars are in deplorable condition and probably on their way to Mexico. I'll bet they don't have the proper paperwork for these junkers or even have a current license. I hope this sends a message to the State Police to get these stupid ignorant a$$holes off the road before someone else gets killed. Do your job Texas and make this stretch of I-10 safe.
We had fog in Indiana the other day that cancelled school. On my way home from work, cars were pulling off the side of the highway and putting their flashers on. It would be safer for them to keep moving slowly until they can find a safe place to pull completely off the road. Luckily, we have the reflectors in the center of the highway to be able to see where you are.
Is this the highway that had its speed limit raised to 80 MPH recently ?
No
Yeah...this does not surprise me...lived in Austin area for about 1 1/2 years. Even back then....and as bad of drivers in Austin were and they were!!...even Austin Drivers always said that drivers in and around the Houston area were the worst and don't go to Houston area!!!
Texas drivers do not know nor understand the word of "SLOW DOWN"!!
Ha, you should try driving around Dallas area. Accidents every morning and every evening. Bunch of idiots there too.
Gotta be a record I guess they took the term everything in Texas is Bigger literally
I haven't read all the comments, but did anyone mention "turn on your headlights"? I see many vehicles, during low visibility conditions (rain, fog, dusk, dawn), with the headlights off. It is also helpful when the morning or afternoon sun is low on the horizon. I like being able to see what's coming at me, as well as what's coming up behind me. Not everyone has normal color perception, or depth of field vision. As well, glare affects some folks more than others.
Look, the best way to stay safe in foggy conditions is to get off the road. (not on side of road, completely off the road)
This wreck was the result of impatient, atheistic, and selfish people and is a reflection of our society as it stands today.
Dev 79. Athiestic?? really??
Shouldn't there be standard rules in fog banks that you slow down immediately to 30 km per hour?