An early morning collision between a semi-truck and another vehicle caused a significant shutdown of Interstate 10 West in East El Paso, authorities confirmed. According to KFOX-TV, the incident occurred just before 3 a.m. at Mile Marker 32 near the exit for Zaragoza. Following the accident, police closed the westbound lanes from George Dieter to Lee Trevino to manage the situation and commence cleanup efforts.
The El Paso Police Department acknowledged the presence of multiple "patients" as a result of the crash, though specific details on the number of individuals affected or the nature of their injuries were not provided. The road closure lasted approximately seventeen hours, causing substantial traffic delays throughout the day. As reported by KTSM, at least three people were transported with minor injuries, classified as Code 1, which typically indicates non-life-threatening harm.
Furthermore, responding officials cited the presence of spilled material on the highway, necessitating a cleanup operation by Hazmat crews. Early indicators suggested the spill involved fuel, calling for specialized handling to prevent further hazards and environmental damage. By the evening, the Texas Department of Transportation confirmed that the affected portion of I-10 West had been reopened, lifting the traffic restrictions that had been in place most of the day.
Throughout the day, local news outlets kept the public informed of the situation and its resolution. KVIA reported on the traffic backup caused by the crash, though details were scarce in the hours immediately following the event. As cleanup efforts proceeded, however, information became clearer, leading to the eventual reopening of the interstate and a return to normal traffic conditions for East El Paso residents, as noted by KVIA.
