18-wheelers go up in flames after chain-reaction crash on I-35 in Bell County

SALADO, Texas (KWTX) - The northbound and southbound lanes on I-35 near Salado Plaza were reopened shortly before Noon Friday after crews cleared the wreckage of a fiery wreck involving several 18-wheelers.

A stretch of the interstate in that area was closed for hours as structural engineers inspected an overpass for safety in the wake of the chain-reaction wreck.

Firefighters and police responded to the crash on the bridge before the I-35 Williamson Road exit late Thursday night.

A spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said an 18-wheeler hit a parked vehicle along the highway, sending that vehicle into the guard rail.

The 18-wheeler then careened into another 18-wheeler, causing fuel to leak and both 18-wheelers to go up in flames.

DPS said a third 18-wheeler was also impacted by the wreck.

Two of the 18-wheelers “completely burned to the ground,” DPS said.

The driver of one of the 18-wheeler “leapt from the overpass to avoid the flames.”

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