DALLAS, TX — A major crash involving an 18-wheeler shut down part of the Dallas North Tollway after the truck overturned and spilled fuel near Northwest Highway. North Texas Tollway Authority officials and Dallas Fire-Rescue said the wreck happened around noon Friday on the southbound side of the tollway.
The collision involved five other vehicles, and the truck’s saddle tanks ruptured in the crash. Officials said about 170 gallons of diesel spilled onto the roadway, along with other fluids from the trailer, including cooking oil.
Three people were taken to the hospital. Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Truck overturns after multi vehicle collision on the southbound tollway
Authorities said the 18-wheeler overturned after colliding with five vehicles on the southbound lanes. The crash created a hazardous scene that left debris, damaged vehicles and spilled fuel across the tollway.
The North Texas Tollway Authority and Dallas Fire-Rescue were among the agencies relaying the details of the incident. The exact sequence of the crash has not been released, and officials have not said what caused the collision.
Because the truck overturned, crews also had to deal with the risk posed by the fuel leak before the roadway could be reopened.
About 170 gallons of diesel spilled from ruptured saddle tanks
Officials said the largest spill came from the 18-wheeler’s ruptured saddle tanks, which released roughly 170 gallons of diesel onto the tollway. In addition to the fuel, other materials from the trailer spilled during the wreck.
Those additional fluids included cooking oil, according to authorities. The combination of diesel and other liquids meant the cleanup required more than simply removing wrecked vehicles from the roadway.
Fuel spills can create slick driving conditions and add safety concerns for responders working in the area. Crews were still focused on clearing the scene and dealing with the contaminated roadway after the crash.
Three injured drivers were hospitalized with non life threatening injuries
A total of three people were taken to a hospital after the crash. Dallas Fire-Rescue said the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
No additional details were released about the hospitalized patients, including which vehicles they were in or the extent of their injuries. Officials only said the people hurt in the wreck were expected to survive.
Even with injuries described as minor compared with the damage to the tollway, the crash still required a significant emergency response because of the number of vehicles involved and the fuel spill.
All northbound and southbound lanes remained closed during cleanup
At the time of the update, both northbound and southbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway were shut down while crews worked to clear the wreck and clean up the spill. The closure affected traffic in both directions near Northwest Highway.
Officials did not immediately say when the tollway would reopen. The cleanup had to account for the overturned truck, the damaged vehicles and the diesel spilled across the roadway.
The closure marked a significant disruption for drivers using one of Dallas’ major toll routes, especially during the middle of the day when traffic volume can be heavy.
NTTA and SKY 4 helicopter provided the early details
The initial information on the crash came from the North Texas Tollway Authority and SKY 4 helicopter observations. Those reports confirmed the location, the extent of the spill and the fact that the roadway was closed while responders worked.
Officials have not released a cause, and the investigation into the crash appears to be continuing. For now, the main concern remains clearing the scene safely and reopening the tollway once the wreckage and spill are fully handled.
Drivers in the area were left to avoid the tollway and use alternate routes as crews stayed on scene.
