FM 1725 hazmat spill: Truck driver killed in San Jacinto Co. crash; shelter-in-place lifted, roadway reopened
San Jacinto Co. crash update: Roads reopen, evacuated residents return home
A truck driver died after a vehicle carrying hazardous materials crashed on FM 1725 near FM 3081 on Friday.
A truck driver has died after a crash and hazmat spill that shut down FM 1725 on Friday and prompted a shelter-in-place in San Jacinto County.
Hazmat spill on FM 1725
What we know:
The San Jacinto Sheriff's Office says a chemical tanker truck carrying hazardous materials crashed and rolled over on FM 1725 near FM 3081 and SH 150.
The truck that carried the tanker had veered off of the roadway, lost control and overturned on its side, according to Sgt. Sammy Lattner with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Sgt. Lattner says the tanker was carrying 2,800 gallons of sulphur dioxide, but it lost about 1,300 gallons due to the crash.
TxDOT says hazmat specialists have responded to the scene. Crews used air monitors in the crash area, but they did not detect any threats.
What we don't know:
Officials will not publicly release the name of the truck driver until loved ones have been notified.
NOTE: The following video was filmed on Friday.
Roadway reopened
What we know:
The closure of FM 1725, which lasted for several days, between FM 3801 intersection and Glen Haven Road, has been reopened by officials.
The roadway was reopened on Sunday.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (Lufkin), "FM 1725 in San Jacinto County is now clear and open for travel following a hazardous spill after a truck crash early Friday. The scene is clear. Drive safely."
Residents return home
All residents that live in the area affected by the spill have returned home as of Saturday morning, according to the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
According to Texas DPS, the OEM issued a shelter-in-place near the scene of the crash on Friday. Sgt. Lattner says DPS Troopers would knock on 60–80 doors to suggest that residents leave the area.
What you can do:
Motorists in the area are asked to drive cautiously as first responders and other officials continue to clear the scene.
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.
Residents with air quality concerns can get a free test done in their homes by calling Operation Safe Home at 356-589-6717.
29 students, bus driver evaluated
Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD says shortly after the crash, Bus 1017 unknowingly passed through the affected area.
Twenty-nine students were on the bus. The students and the bus driver were taken to the JSE/CIS bus loop to be assessed and treated by EMS as a precautionary measure.
"We went through and it just hit us. Everybody started coughing and everything," said Destiny Garcia, an 8th grader at Lincoln Junior High School.
"It was kind of like pepper spray in a sense. Like you smelt it at first, and it just hit you, and you started coughing," said Javier Aguilar, a senior at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School.
Out of an abundance of caution, the district says, they were later transported to a medical facility for further evaluation. They have since been medically cleared and released. The district says they are safe.
"When we got to the school, she just like stopped us. She went on the side and said nobody could get out, we were all contaminated and there was a chemical spill," said Garcia.
What they're saying:
"COCISD prioritized communication with families throughout the incident. All parents of the students involved were notified immediately, and district officials worked closely with Emergency
Management and DPS to ensure a swift and effective response," the district said in a news release. "COCISD remains committed to the safety of our students and will continue to work closely with local agencies to ensure the highest level of preparedness for any future emergencies."
"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. We are thankful for the swift response from Emergency Management, DPS, and EMS, and we appreciate the understanding and support of our families during this incident," Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton said in the news release.
NOTE: The following video was recorded on Friday.
The Source: The information in this article is from the San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office, the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management, TxDOT, Texas DPS, and Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD.