PRESS RELEASE — At approximately 3:15 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a one vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in Orange County.  The crash occurred near the FM 1442 exit.

Preliminary reports indicate that a truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10.  For an unknown reason, the driver lost control and struck a concrete barrier.  The impact of the collision caused the truck tractor to catch fire.  The 18-wheeler was hauling filters.

The driver of the 18-Wheeler,  51-year-old William Smith Jr. of Maryland, was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth hospital with minor injuries.

At this time, all eastbound and westbound traffic lanes of Interstate 10, near the FM 1442 exit, are closed.  Motorists are being diverted to the access roads while emergency crews work to extinguish the fire.  There is no time estimation as to when the roadway will reopen to traffic.  Motorists are urged to find an alternate route.

This is an ongoing crash investigation as Troopers work to determine the exact factors that contributed to this crash.