The passenger of the semi-trailer that crashed into a parked dump truck early Wednesday morning on I-35 died at the scene, according to Bill McClean, Bruceville-Eddy police chief.
The driver of the vehicle was initially taken to Hillcrest Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, then transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas to be treated for severe burns, McClean said.
The passenger was believed to be the driver's wife, he said.
The Bruceville-Eddy Volunteer Fire and Rescue received a call around 5:20 a.m. about a multi-vehicle accident near mile marker 317 on I-35, according to Assistant Chief Gene Sprouse.
Officials found the semi-trailer, that was carrying avocados, fully engulfed in flames, Sprouse said. The department requested extra assistance from the Moody and Lorena fire departments to put out the fire.
The driver of the semi-trailer was going north on I-35 when it crashed into the parked dump truck that was blocking a concrete barrier, Sprouse said.
It is unclear if anyone was inside the dump truck.
Although the left lane of the highway was temporarily opened to allow drivers to pass through, the northbound lanes of the interstate and the 319 exit ramp remained closed.
One lane as reopened just after 11 a.m. and traffic was slowly getting by.
"The inside lane through Bruceville-Eddy is now open and stacked-up traffic is slowly getting through. Crews are still working to re-open the middle lane. The outside lane will remain closed several hours longer to allow crews to replace the crash cushion at the crash site," TxDOT officials said.
There is no word on how much damage was caused as a result of the accident.
