Massive pileup shuts I-10 in Texas; 2 dead

Cars and trucks are piled on Interstate 10 in Southeast Texas Thursday Nov. 22, 2012. / Guiseppe Barranco,AP Photo/The Beaumont Enterprise

Updated 9:44 PM ET

BEAUMONT, Texas Two people died and more than 80 people were hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Southeast Texas in a pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.

The collision occurred in extremely foggy conditions at about 8:45 a.m. Thanksgiving Day on Interstate 10 southwest of Beaumont, a Gulf Coast city about 80 miles east of Houston.

A man and a woman were killed in a Chevy Suburban SUV crushed by a tractor trailer, the Texas Department of Public Safety told KFDM-TV.

Jefferson County sheriff's Deputy Rod Carroll said in a news release that 80 to 90 people were transported to hospitals with 10 to 12 of those in serious to critical condition. He said 140 to 150 vehicles were involved in the pileup.

According to DPS, a crash on the eastbound side of the highway led to other accidents in a dangerous chain reaction. There were multiple crashes on the other side of the highway as well.

Carroll told The Associated Press the fog was so thick that deputies didn't immediately realize they were dealing with multiple accidents.

"It is catastrophic," Carroll said. "I've got cars on top of cars."

I-10's eastbound lanes were re-opened Thursday evening after more than eight hours.

DPS trooper Stephanie Davis told KFDM that two people in an SUV died after the crash.

Carroll said uninjured drivers tried to help as authorities sorted through the wreckage.

"It's just people helping people," Carroll said. "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."

[Sassyjohntexas]

I have driving 48 states over the last 15 years, trust me this has happened in almost every state, I myself have witnessed many. Texas is not exempt for accidents, and our drivers are no worse than any other states. God bless those involved, may you feel Gods love, and "Thanks You" to the road side heros you are already blessed for doing his work.

[carmenDiego]

I've seen how they "drive" in Texas. We pulled off the road during an intense thunderstorm near Dallas. Why? It was raining so hard you couldn't see out the windshield! People on the freeway didn't even slow down!

[djseavy]

I'm not a trucker, but they aren't the problem. The problem is the cars that weave back and forth, ride everyone's bumper, all while talking on the phone. I came up I35 a few days ago through Iowa on the way home to MN, and cars were going 80, while staying right on the bumper ahead of them. Bad driving isn't limited to TX. Come to Rochester MN sometime, and you'll find an entirely different breed of drivers. I'd rather drive in Chicago, Mpls, Dallas - anywhere other than Rochester, and I live here.

[phwtb100]

As I have witnessed the east Texas "fog" they are referring to and can honestly say I have never seen anything like it. It's a fog that is so horribly thick you cannot see someone leaning on the hood of your car, ESPECIALLY if you have your headlights on! The light completely blinds you!

WHY WERE THEY EVEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN IT? Who would risk their own life and the lives of so many others by attempting such a stupid task?

[andale11]

What I dont understand is why the hell those big rigs dont slow the hell down when visibility is limited and conditions are dangerous...Also why does there almost always seem to be a FEDEX double trailer truck involved???

[mturner1938]

I think that if you look a little closer at the pictures of that massive wreck you will also see a bunch of cars, pickup trucks and RV vehicles also, you can't blame it all on the truckers.

[ugleyme]

Fog? What fog? I don't see anything...

[mturner1938]

Lame!

[officerjoe]

It's high time the Police start enforcing tailgating regulations. I'm surprised there are not more pile ups. People think riding your bumper is an acceptable way to say "I'd like to pass." Police don't want to bother with tailgating because its a tough summons to write. In order to convict in court they must follow the violator a certain distance and keep him under surveillance, and usually end up testifying in court.It's far easier to get a speeder with a radar gun.Some truck drivers are actually proud of their aggressive driving techniques and paint shark's teeth and such on the front cab of their vehicles.Ever drive 95 in New Jersey? If you don't stay in the right lane you are taking your life in your hands.

[andale11]

Probably a better solutions is put a lower speed limit on those crazy big rigs. The speed limit on the 20 S of Midland is 80. I often travel this road and the big rigs just go flying past me. Those big heavy loads are hard to stop/slow down in an emergency. In California the big rigs are limited to 55mph. We should put them at say 60mph in Texas.

[kathrynkeepin]

Tailgating is really bad on interstates, I travel I 65, I 85, and I 20, about every 3 months. I 285 bypass in Atlanta speed limit is 55, better be doing 80-85 or get ran over, even in slow lane.
Even if you cant get into next lane they ride your bumper, sometimes they are so close i cant see the headlights of their car, Zipping in and out of traffic, its like putting your life in there hands when you get on interstate.

I know I'm going to hurt some feelings but,since moving here, I have noticed that Texans are literally the worst drivers I have ever encountered. I am comparing them to Europe, the northeast and the Caribbean. They are over aggressive and terrible decision makers. I don't know if this stems from poor education or the DMV not giving adequate tests for driver's license. I'm sure the fog added to the mayhem, but I can guarantee it was not the cause.

[jgnv]

I grew up in Texas and there are no hurt feelings here. Unless you've ever traveled there, it's hard for anyone to imagine how fast drivers in this state actually go. Fog would, of course, not be something you would expect, but being a holiday, there was probably a higher volume of cars on the road than normal. It's a shame the road wasn't just closed down for a few hours until conditions improved. It's a tragedy that so many people were involved and two people lost their lives.

[Shawnc379]

We should have what Europeans have on their cars, the brighter tail or fog light in the back. And laws like they do in Germany that state driving in that type of fog is illegal. Also your right our driving education system is very bad compared to European countries.

[trueblueusa]

Happiness is " TEXass in the Rear View Mirror "

[mturner1938]

Great, stay gone!

[lami987]

Build more rail road for transportation of goods. That would reduce tractor trailer traffic and have more room for smaller vehicles. Tractor trailer would only do short distance transportion.

[cheyennerain69]

LAM1987.you obviously are oblivious to the trucking industry..due to rail our annual is dropping so much alot of the experienced drivers have gone home..the truck next to you prob has an inexperienced 24yr old in it who has NO clue how to operate that truck becuz the supply and demand due to how big carriers abuse there drivers is out of control..i run coast to coast..yet my income dropped 12K in 5yrs and continues to go down...distance has nothing to do with it...DOT regulations are caudsing FORCING i shud say drivers to drive when theyre tired,,,instead of driving when were not tired we have to drive when THEY tell us to..also 2am appts...6 unpaid hrs in a dock then forced of the recievers property TIRED....hows about we truck drivers all shut down and watch how fast walmart shelves are mpty...no food no clothes no medical because honey if you bought it a truck brought it...to force long haul drivers to go regional would make the 700 more semi wreck in 2011 vs 2010 look like a walk in the part because youll have inexperienced drivers filling the void!!!!!!!!!!!.MOST car vs semi is caused by idiot 4wheelers and thats a fact...check with DOT...