2 dead, dozens injured in Texas pileup involving 100+ cars
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — 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."
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."
Remember the three second rule! Longer if you're in fog or other hazardous conditions! Don't drive too closely! Be careful out there!Â
Depending on which media outlet you choose - this was either a 50, 100+, or 140 vehicle pileup. Amazing how many different sets of facts can be floated out there with absolutely zero responsibility assumed by those who throw it out there...
 @ThrobbinhoodÂ
It was a 'progressive count'. Early reports did say about 50, but subsequent counts kept moving it upward until the police made a full accounting.
How horrible. This is why thick fog is one of the most dangerous conditions to drive in. When you can't see an inch in front of your car, you shouldn't be on the roads. Even if it is a holiday. Best to find a safe place to pull off until the fog clears.
 @Tattooed_Angel Captain Hindsight to the rescue!
 @Joey Valentine  @Tattooed_Angel Big difference between common sense and hindsight Joey Valentine! Tattooed_Angel is completely correct.
 @Joey Valentine Â
Actually, that is 'not' hindsight. I have had a rule of thumb learned when I lived in the Midwest. In heavy fog, you reduce your speed to a level comfortable with. In thick roadblock type of fog, you slow it down to a more controllable level or pull it over and stop as far to the side as safe to do so. That's contained in "Defensive Driving" courses.
Yes, I have heard about the raised speed limits in some states and I think its irresponsible to allow people to drive that fast that don't have the driving skills needed to handle a vehicle at those speeds. Americans don't have the same driving skills as in Europe, where they are all required to take driving courses in school. We are not required those driving courses, we can just have dad teach us how to drive then were on our own to take a driving course on our own if we choose to, and then they raise the speed limits like this here and are surprised something like this happens?! This is irresponsible of our transportation agencies!! This is shameful!
This is why I never leave the house.
 @wysoumible lol, this is why i live in a box
Are tickets ever given for following too close? How many drivers know what a safe distance is?
 @contraryjim I happily gave tickets for following too closely. I also added aggressive driving citations along with the following too closely a few times. BIG pet peeve of mine and extremely dangerous.Â
All of them had a huge attitude and said things like "Don't you have better things to do?" or "I pay your salary", I gave that guy a nickel and said "Thanks, press hard, there's three copies." He didn't pay my "salary", my town did. He didn't live there. I hated that. They could call me any name in the book, but that stuff was just stupid.
Nothing can make someone angrier like stupid. But as usual, my pen was mightier than my sword.
Â
What a horrible accident. I am sorry for the families.
@contraryjim With fog that thick it could be that the people weren't following to closely but one accident turns into a massive pile-up when people can't see in front of their car.
 @Tattooed_Angel  @contraryjim That's what I was thinking too.
Should slow down when visibility decreases.
Isn't I-10 one of the stretches in Texas where they just allowed the speed limit to become 85MPH? Pretty sure it is... which might help to explain the pile up.
 @ytboarder No, that was between Austin and San Antonio. No where near where this accident occured
 @KOMODrone#07737  @ytboarder It's !-35 where the speed limit was raised and it's also going to be a toll road. The 85 MPH limit is only for 40 miles.
The Dallas Morning News is reporting at least two dead. Please drive safely everyone.
So far no deaths, that's something to be thankful for.
 @Just my say two deaths from one vehicle - must have been updated after you made your post
 @DawgFan72 Yes it was.
It's always people being in a hurray, Â oh my!!
 @HullenbeckCowl I'm never in a hurry to get to my in-laws. Â