‘Catastrophic’ pileup in Texas kills two, injures more than 80

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

The collision occurred in extremely foggy conditions 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 sport utility vehicle 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 150vehicles were involved in the pileup.

According to authorities, 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 said 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.”

Interstate 10’s eastbound lanes were reopened Thursday evening after more than eight hours.

Texas Department of Public Safety 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 helpingpeople,” 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.”

Front Section, Pages 2 on 11/23/2012

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