VIDOR, Texas — Only minor injuries were reported Friday afternoon following a wreck involving a vehicle and an 18-wheeler that overturned along the interstate in Vidor.
The wreck forced the shutdown of Interstate 10 in Vidor for several hours and backed up traffic for more than six miles from the wreck to west of Rose City.
The 18-wheeler carrying a load of beans flipped long eastbound Interstate 10 near Eastgate Pentecostal Church according to Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll.
The wreck happened at about 1 p.m. and by about 6:10 p.m. TxDOT reported that all lanes were back open.
A Ford Taurus, driven by a 53-year-old Louisiana man was traveling eastbound in the inside lane, while a Kenworth truck tractor semi-trailer, driven by a 70-year-old Florida man, was in the center lane according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Witnesses told troopers that the driver of the Taurus "changed lanes when unsafe," struck the 18-wheeler, spun around and hit the outside barrier.
This caused the 18-wheeler to also strike the outside barrier before flipping.
The driver of the Ford Taurus was not injured, but a 76-year-old woman riding int he car with him was taken to Baptist Hospital in Beaumont troopers said.
He was cited for "changing lanes when unsafe"
The driver of the Kenworth 18-wheeler was not injured.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Read the news release from the DPS...
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a crash involving a commercial motor vehicle on Interstate Highway 10 east, near Vidor, that occurred today, July 14, 2023.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1 p.m., a Ford Taurus was traveling in the inside lane, while a Kenworth truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling in the center lane. It is reported that the driver of the Ford changed lanes when unsafe and struck the Kenworth, spun around and struck the outside barrier. This movement caused the Kenworth to veer to the outside lane where he too, struck the outside barrier.
The driver of the Ford, identified as a 53-year-old Louisiana man, was not injured. He was cited for changing lanes when unsafe. His passenger, identified as a 76-year-old woman, was transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Kenworth, identified as a 70-year-old Florida man, was not injured.
There is no further information available.