18-Wheeler Crashes, Catches Fire on I-20 in Kilgore

A semi-truck rollover on Interstate 27 in Lubbock left the truck driver seriously injured early Friday morning, October 16, 2026. According to Lubbock police, officers were called around midnight to North I-27 near FM 1294, where a semi-truck had crashed and rolled over. The driver initially suffered moderate injuries and was taken to University Medical Center. His condition was later upgraded to serious, prompting the Lubbock Police Department’s Major Crash Unit to investigate. KCBD reported that the main lane and access road of southbound I-27 near FM 1264 were closed during the investigation and cleanup, with traffic diverted west onto FM 1294. The main lanes reopened by approximately 5:53 a.m., although the southbound access road remained closed at that time. What Happened in the Lubbock I-27 Semi-Truck Rollover? Police said the semi crashed and rolled on I-27 near FM 1294 shortly after midnight. The truck driver was transported to the hospital. Although his injuries were initially described as moderate, authorities later classified his condition as serious enough for the Major Crash Unit to take over the investigation. Authorities have not yet released information explaining why the truck rolled over or whether another vehicle was involved. What Can Cause an 18-Wheeler to Roll Over? Semi-truck rollovers can happen for many reasons, and the cause of this particular crash remains under investigation. Depending on the evidence, investigators may examine factors such as excessive speed for roadway conditions, an abrupt steering maneuver, tire or mechanical failure, cargo movement, driver fatigue, roadway conditions, or another vehicle’s actions. None of those possibilities should be assumed to have caused this wreck unless supported by the investigation. Evidence That May Matter After a Semi-Truck Rollover Commercial truck rollover investigations may involve evidence that is not typically available in an ordinary car crash, including: Electronic control module data Electronic logging-device records GPS and telematics information Dash-camera footage Driver hours-of-service records Cargo weight and securement records Tractor and trailer inspection records Tire, brake, and suspension condition Crash-scene photographs and measurements Witness statements The physical condition of the tractor and trailer may be particularly important in determining whether a mechanical issue or cargo-related problem contributed to the rollover. Why the Truck Should Be Preserved After a Serious Rollover A damaged commercial truck can contain important physical and electronic evidence about what happened immediately before a crash. Investigators may be able to determine the truck’s speed, braking activity, steering inputs, and other information from onboard systems. Maintenance records and inspections may also show whether a component problem existed before the wreck. Preserving this evidence before the truck is repaired, salvaged, or placed back into service can be important in a serious injury investigation. Injured in a Texas 18-Wheeler Crash? The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in serious commercial truck and 18-wheeler crashes throughout Texas. If you were injured in an 18-wheeler wreck, The Wooley Law Firm can investigate the collision, identify potentially responsible parties, and work to preserve trucking and electronic evidence. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. This article is based on preliminary information released by Lubbock police and reported by KCBD concerning an ongoing investigation. The cause of the rollover and whether other vehicles were involved have not yet been announced. Additional facts may become available. Nothing in this article assigns fault before the investigation is complete. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

A new report is providing additional attention to the fatal garbage truck crash on U.S. Highway 287 at Erath Street in Fort Worth that killed a Waste Management driver and severely damaged the Erath Street overpass. The September 23 crash happened at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the 3500 block of Martin Luther King Freeway, the local name for this section of U.S. 287. Authorities said the garbage truck left the roadway while exiting the highway and struck several concrete support columns beneath the Erath Street bridge. The driver, 33-year-old Tyler Bradley Shivers, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the truck was taken to a hospital in critical condition. CBS Texas reported on October 16 that a new report is shedding additional light on the crash, which also resulted in extensive structural repairs to the overpass. What Happened in the Fatal U.S. 287 Garbage Truck Crash? Fort Worth police and fire officials reported that the Waste Management truck was traveling on southbound U.S. 287 when it left the roadway and struck multiple supports for the Erath Street bridge. Witnesses described seeing the truck drift between lanes before striking a slope and then the bridge support. Authorities have not publicly established the ultimate cause of the collision. The force of the impact severely damaged the bridge. TxDOT crews ultimately removed damaged portions of the structure so traffic on U.S. 287 could begin reopening. The Erath Street overpass itself required longer-term repairs. Why a Commercial Truck Crash Investigation Goes Beyond the Police Report A fatal commercial truck crash can involve evidence from the truck, the employer, roadway authorities, witnesses, and electronic systems. Potentially important evidence may include: Electronic control module data GPS and telematics records Onboard camera footage Vehicle inspection and maintenance records Brake, tire, steering, and suspension condition Driver qualification and training records Dispatch and route information Cellphone records when legally relevant Crash-scene measurements and photographs Witness statements Because the truck was operated by Waste Management, company maintenance, inspection, training, and electronic records could potentially help investigators reconstruct what occurred before the truck left the roadway. Mechanical Problems and Vehicle Condition May Need to Be Examined When a heavy commercial vehicle leaves the roadway without another confirmed impact, investigators may examine the truck itself closely. Possible areas of investigation can include the braking system, steering components, tires, suspension, vehicle loading, and any electronic warnings generated before the collision. There is currently no public finding that a mechanical defect caused this crash. Those are issues that would need to be determined from the physical evidence and investigative records. Electronic Data Could Show What Happened Before Impact Many commercial vehicles store electronic information that can help reconstruct the seconds before a wreck. Depending on the truck and its equipment, investigators may be able to determine speed, braking activity, throttle position, vehicle movement, and other information. That evidence can be particularly important when the driver who could explain what happened was killed in the crash. Serious Structural Damage Followed the Fort Worth Truck Wreck The impact did more than damage the garbage truck. The collision damaged supports beneath the Erath Street bridge badly enough that U.S. 287 was initially closed in both directions and transportation officials had to perform emergency demolition and repairs. That level of damage illustrates the forces that can be involved when a large commercial vehicle leaves the roadway and strikes a fixed object. Injured in a Commercial Truck Crash in Fort Worth? The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured and families affected by serious commercial vehicle and 18-wheeler crashes throughout Fort Worth and North Texas. Commercial truck cases can involve evidence that may not exist in an ordinary car wreck, including company records, electronic truck data, maintenance histories, and onboard video. Preserving those materials early may be important when the cause of a collision is disputed. If you or a family member was seriously injured in a Fort Worth commercial truck accident, The Wooley Law Firm can investigate the collision and identify evidence that may help determine what happened. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don't pay unless we win. This article is based on information released by Fort Worth authorities and subsequent news reporting concerning the September 23, 2026 fatal U.S. 287 crash. The ultimate cause of the collision has not been publicly established. Nothing in this article assigns fault before the investigation is complete. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

An 18-wheeler fire on eastbound Interstate 20 near the I-20/I-30 split in west Fort Worth shut down the roadway Thursday. The tractor-trailer was reportedly carrying a load of zucchini and squash. Cleanup operations were expected to cause significant delays in the area. Additional information about what caused the fire, whether another vehicle was involved, and whether anyone was injured has not yet been released. What Happened on Eastbound I-20 Near the I-30 Split? The incident involved an 18-wheeler on eastbound I-20 near the split with I-30 in west Fort Worth. The truck caught fire, forcing the closure of eastbound I-20 while emergency crews worked the scene and cleanup crews addressed the damaged truck and its cargo. Because the trailer was loaded with produce, cleanup could take additional time before the roadway is fully reopened. What Can Cause an 18-Wheeler Fire? Commercial truck fires can have a number of potential causes, including: Mechanical or electrical failures Brake or wheel-end overheating Tire failures Fuel-system problems Engine-compartment fires A collision or impact Problems involving cargo or equipment At this time, there is no confirmed information identifying what caused this particular truck fire. Evidence That May Matter After a Commercial Truck Fire If the incident resulted from a crash or mechanical failure, investigators may examine the tractor and trailer, maintenance history, inspection records, electronic data, dash-camera footage, driver logs, and other evidence. The condition of the truck after a fire can make an early investigation particularly important because heat, firefighting efforts, towing, and cleanup may alter physical evidence. Injured in an 18-Wheeler Wreck in Fort Worth? The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in serious commercial truck and 18-wheeler crashes throughout Fort Worth and North Texas. If you were injured in an 18-wheeler collision on I-20, I-30, or another North Texas highway, The Wooley Law Firm can investigate the incident, identify potentially responsible parties, and work to preserve available trucking evidence. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. This article concerns a developing traffic incident. Information about injuries, the cause of the truck fire, roadway closures, and whether other vehicles were involved may change as authorities release additional details. Nothing in this article assigns fault before the investigation is complete. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.