ORANGE, Texas — A multi-vehicle wreck involving an 18-wheeler temporarily shutdown Interstate 10 eastbound for hours, according to Orange County Sheriff's Deputies.
Drivers were asked to avoid Interstate 10 eastbound going into Louisiana. Orange County deputies said that according to the Texas Department of Transportation, Interstate 10 eastbound was expected to be closed for six to eight hours.
A preliminary investigation into the crash suggests that around 2 p.m., a 2018 Freightliner commercial vehicle was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when it approached an uneven part of the road.
After crossing the uneven section, the driver of the Freightliner pressed on his brakes, went into a skid, crossed into the left lane and struck a four-door sedan. A 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle approaching the crash attempted to stop, lost control, and slid a short distance away from the previous crash.
All three vehicles caught fire at the scene.
The driver of the Freightliner was identified as Sahil Sharma, 27 of Woodbury, New Jersey; the driver of the sedan was identified as Maria Soto, 43 of Metairie, Louisiana; and the driver of the motorcycle was identified as Christopher Winchester, 42 of Alexandria, Louisiana.
All three drivers were taken to the CHRSITUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital in Beaumont to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Louisiana Police, Interstate 10 westbound at exit 4 has also been and still is shutdown temporarily due to the crash.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
3 injured after multi-vehicle crash in Orange shuts down Interstate 10 eastbound
From a Texas Department of Public Safety press release:
ORANGE COUNTY- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigated a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 on Sunday, October 31, 2021.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 2:10 p.m., a 2018 Freightliner commercial vehicle was traveling eastbound, approaching mile marker 877.
The driver of the vehicle slowed down while approaching an uneven section on the road. After crossing that section, the driver applied the brakes and went into a skid, crossing into the left lane and striking a 4-door sedan that was traveling east in the left lane. A third vehicle, a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was approaching the crash and attempted to stop, losing control and sliding a short distance away from the previous crash. All three vehicles caught fire at the crash scene.
The driver of the commercial was identified as Sahil Sharma, 27, from Woodbury, NJ. Sharma was transported to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital in Beaumont for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the 4-door sedan was identified as Maria Soto, 43, from Metairie, LA. Soto was transported to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital in Beaumont for non-life-threatening injuries.
The motorcyclist was identified as Christopher Winchester, 42, from Alexandria, LA. Winchester was transported to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital in Beaumont for non-life-threatening injuries.
This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
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