MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – One person is dead and a second is in critical condition, after an 18-wheeler crashed head-on with a trash compactor vehicle on Monday in Montgomery County.
The Caney Creek Fire Department was called around 4 a.m. to the scene at FM-1314 on the Crystal Creek Bridge near Exxon Road.
First responders said preliminary evidence shows the 18-wheeler crossed the center line and crashed into the other vehicle, then the 18-wheeler, with food products caught on fire.
The trash vehicle ended up against the rail of the bridge, and its container fell off and into the creek.
The driver of this vehicle was trapped inside and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler managed to get out and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
Firefighters contained the blaze quickly. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation also responded.
Hundreds of gallons of diesel and oil spilled onto the road and went into Crystal Creek that feeds into the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.
FM-1314 was closed earlier between Exxon Road and Bert Brown while officials cleaned up the scene.
This crash is still under investigation.