Police ID two people killed after semi strikes Interstate 20 bridge column, catches fire
Two people died Sunday when a semi-tractor-trailer struck a bridge pillar on Interstate 20 and burst into flames, Abilene police said in a news release.
Late Monday, Abilene Police identified the victims as Mario Alberto Carlon Solis, 44, who was the driver and Carlos Armando Reyes Hurtado, 39, a passenger in the cab. APD said both were Mexican nationals.
A witness reported at about 7:55 a.m. that the eastbound 18-wheeler crossed the median and hit an FM 600 bridge column. When first responders arrived, the cab and tractor-trailer was engulfed in flames, the release said.
"No other vehicles appear to have been involved in this crash," the release said.
The 18-wheeler was not carrying "dangerous chemicals," the release said.
Both directions of Interstate 20 traffic was diverted for several hours because of the debris and to allow the bridge to be inspected by a Texas Department of Transportation engineer, the release said.
The engineer determined that I-20 could be reopened after replacement of vertical clearance signs, restriping of the asphalt and debris removal, according to a media statement from TxDOT-Abilene District.
"Other repairs will be done at a later date," according to the TxDOT statement.
The crash remains under investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
Abilene police Sunday posted to Facebook that Interstate 20 traffic was being rerouted after a semi tractor-trailer crash.
Police said the crash occurred near the FM 600 (West Lake Road) overpass. The semi apparently struck the overpass support and was engulfed in flames.
No reports of injuries were made immediately.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Update: Police ID 2 victims in Sunday semi crash in northeast Abilene
