14 DAY TRIAL // Authorities inform that Interstate 10 is reopened, following the massive collision on the I-10 in Texas, on Thanksgiving, November 22. Two people are dead and more than 80 injured as morning fog caused a pile-up.
When more than 100 cars crashed, emergency operators were called in at approximately 8:45 a.m., in an Interstate section in the Beaumont area, 80 miles east of Houston. The car pile took over the Jefferson/Chambers County line between Beaumont and Houston.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office approximates 140 to 150 vehicles were stuck in the pile-up. The East section of the Interstate was cleared by 5 p.m., eight hours after the incident, and I-10 West was reopened by noon.
A couple has incurred fatal injuries, as their 2007 Chevy Suburban SUV was crushed by a tractor trailor. The victims were identified as Debra Leggio, 60, and Vincent Leggio, 64, of Pearland, KFDM reports.
According to the Huffington Post, due to the thickness of the fog, deputies at the scene didn't realize the gravity of the situation right away.
80 to 90 passengers are receiving medical attention, of which 10-12 are in critical condition, Rod Carroll, Jefferson County Sheriff Deputy, states. The victims were taken to hospitals in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Winnie.
“It is catastrophic. [...] I've got cars on top of cars,” he said at the time.
Labelle-Fannett Volunteer Fire Department chief Charles Sonnier informs that seven tractor trailers were involved in the collision, on the eastbound side. Two of the trailers were transporting hazardous materials; however, no leaks were reported.
Deputy Caroll describes how uninjured motorists stepped in to help authorities with rescue efforts.
“It's just people helping people. [...] The foremost thing in this holiday season is how other travelers were helping us when we were overwhelmed, sitting and holding, putting pressure on people that were injured,” he adds.