KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — One person was killed and three others were injured early Friday morning after an 18-wheeler swerved to miss a cow on State Highway (SH) 34 in between Terrell and Kaufman.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — One person was killed and three others were injured early Friday morning after an 18-wheeler swerved to miss a cow on State Highway (SH) 34 in between Terrell and Kaufman.
Around 4 a.m., the 18-wheeler, a United Van Lines moving truck, was driving southbound on SH 34 when it swerved to miss a cow in the road. The 18-wheeler overturned, crossed the northbound lane, and struck a line of trees and a barbed-wire fence.
There were four people inside the truck-tractor at the time of the crash, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Staff Sergeant Kyle Bradford.
One person was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Bradford. He was identified as 30-year-old Jesus Quezada of Mineola, Texas.
One person was airlifted to a Dallas-area hospital in what was described as extremely critical condition, another was taken by ground ambulance in critical condition, and the fourth person was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. An updated patient condition was not available at last check Friday afternoon.
Of the injured, two were from West Tawakoni, Texas, and the other was also from Mineola. Bradford says they were employees of the moving company.
The United Van Lines is a full-service moving and relocation company and was hauling someone’s personal household belongings at the time of the crash. Because of that, Kaufman County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Howie says crews are having to unload the trailer by hand before they can begin clearing the wreckage and an approximate 100-gallon fuel spill.
SH 34 has since reopened after being closed for more than 12 hours.
The Kaufman Fire Department, Terrell Volunteer Fire Department, Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management, CareFlite, Kaufman County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the crash.
Ultimately, the cow was struck and killed, according to emergency officials.
This is a developing story.
