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Overturned 18-wheeler catches fire, killing driver, I-10 closed near downtown Beaumont more than 12 hours

An off-duty Beaumont Police officer tried to rescue the trapped truck driver and was hurt when the 18-wheeler caught fire. I-10 was closed for over 12 hours.

BEAUMONT, Texas — A fatal accident shut down I-10 in both directions near downtown Beaumont Saturday afternoon. 

The accident happened before 6 p.m. near the downtown exit Grand Street. Both east and westbound lanes of traffic were closed due to hazardous material leaking from an 18-wheeler, Beaumont Police said in a Facebook post

An 18-wheeler turned over on its side and burst into flames, trapping the driver inside, Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Ben Collins said. 

I-10 was closed in both directions from about 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The westbound side of the freeway reopened just after 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The eastbound side reopened around 7:30 a.m. 

Hazmat crews responded to upright the 18-wheeler and unload the contents of the tanker. 

The driver was identified as Jose Flores, 57, of Alvin, Texas, Justice of the Peace Ben Collins said. Officials notified his family about his death at 2 a.m. Sunday. Collins ordered an autopsy of the driver. 

An off-duty Beaumont Police officer saw the accident and tried to rescue the driver who was trapped, Collins said. The officer was injured when the 18-wheeler caught fire and is being treated at a nearby hospital. 

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