SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas – DPS troopers went door-to-door Friday encouraging residents near the site of a fatal crash in San Jacinto County to leave after sulfur dioxide leaked from the chemical tanker.
The crash happened on FM 1725 near Highway 150 and FM 3081.
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Sgt. Sammy Lattner with the Texas Department of Public Safety gave an update on the situation Friday afternoon.
Lattner said the crash was reported around 6:30 a.m. The 18-wheeler was going northbound on FM 1725 when it left the roadway and overturned, causing a rupture in the tank. The driver died in the crash.
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Lattner said the tanker was carrying approximately 2,800 gallons of sulfur dioxide. The chemical can have serious health effects including breathing problems, skin irritation, and eye damage if exposed to high levels.
Because of the leak, a shelter-in-place was ordered for approximately 60 to 80 homes near the site of the crash. At this point, Lattner said troopers are now going door-to-door to those homes and requesting the residents to leave the area until they can safely resolve the situation. While Lattner said the evacuation is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged.
Hazmat crews have placed air monitoring devices around the crash site out to about 200 yards. Lattner said no issues have been reported around the site right now.
Lattner said they are still trying to determine exactly how many people were hospitalized, but did say 29 students and the bus driver on a school bus were taken to a Conroe hospital to be treated after the bus drove through the area, unaware of the leak.
“They drove through the crash scene inadvertently not knowing what was on the truck,” Lattner said.
He said some of the people on the bus had concerns after experiencing headaches and some respiratory problems. Lattner said they have since been treated and released.
“It was more to be on the safe side to get them checked out,” Lattner said.
Several agencies were called to assist in cleaning up and help with evacuation efforts at nearby homes and businesses.
Deputies confirmed the street has been shut down within a mile of the crash site. Members of different agencies assisting were staged three miles from the scene.
HAZMAT SPILL UPDATE: Crews remain staged 3 miles from the scene of this spill on FM 1725 in San Jacinto County. Hazmat and TDEM are on the scene. Avoid the area. Time of clearance is not known at this time. pic.twitter.com/qR4YqbTxQb
— TxDOT Lufkin (@TxDOTLufkin) January 24, 2025
Texas DPS says the roadway will most likely not be reopened until Saturday morning at the earliest. Investigators have not identified any witnesses to the crash, but are urging anyone with information that may help investigators to call the Texas Highway Patrol Office at (936) 699-7340.
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