At least one person was killed Monday when a two-vehicle collision hurled an 18-wheeler off an overpass and onto State Highway 130 in Williamson County. The wreck happened just after noon at the SH 130 interchange that locals know as Chandler Road on the east side and University Boulevard on the west. Multiple agencies, including Williamson County deputies, the Round Rock Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, raced to the scene, and southbound lanes were shut down while crews worked the crash and cleared debris.
What officials say about the crash
The Texas Department of Public Safety said Monday that at least one person died and that troopers were investigating the two-vehicle collision that sent the big rig off the overpass, according to CBS Austin. Williamson County deputies said they arrived shortly after noon and stayed on scene as investigators documented the crash and coordinated with other first responders.
Road closures and travel impact
All southbound lanes of SH 130 at the Chandler Road/University Boulevard interchange were closed and expected to remain shut for an extended stretch, with traffic diverted to nearby frontage roads, including County Road 110, FOX 7 Austin reported. Officials urged drivers to find alternate routes and to slow down or move over for emergency crews working in the area.
Why the cross-street names differ
Local maps and planning documents list the junction as both University Boulevard and Chandler Road because the roadway carries different names on either side of SH 130. State and toll road references mark the location as the SH 130 exit for University Blvd/Chandler Rd, which is why some outlets used one name and some the other; the exit layout is shown on the interchange map here.
Crash fits a broader pattern
Traffic safety advocates have tracked multiple serious and deadly crashes along SH 130 and nearby highways in recent years as growth and congestion ramp up in the region, according to Vision Zero ATX. The latest wreck has landed in the middle of ongoing conversations about interchange design and safety upgrades for both heavy trucks and everyday drivers.
Investigation underway
DPS troopers and Williamson County investigators were leading the inquiry into what caused Monday’s crash and how the 18-wheeler went over the side of the overpass, with officials saying they would share more information as it becomes available, CBS Austin reported. Authorities had not yet released the name of the person killed or provided additional details about others involved.
