KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Westbound Interstate 20 at the Kaufman-Van Zandt County line is closed after a loaded cattle trailer overturned early Saturday morning.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Westbound Interstate 20 at the Kaufman-Van Zandt County line is closed after a loaded cattle trailer overturned early Saturday morning.
At approximately 3:56 a.m., the Elmo Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) was dispatched to westbound Interstate 20 just before the Farm-to-Market (FM) 2965 exit, mile marker 512, for a loaded cattle trailer which overturned across both lanes of the highway.
A medical helicopter has been dispatched for the driver of the 18-wheeler.
The trailer was hauling 88 head of cattle at the time of the crash, Elmo VFD Chief Randy Brumbelow told inForney.com.
At 7:30 a.m., crews were still working to offload cattle from the trailer before a heavy-duty wrecker crew could upright the trailer and begin clearing the highway, Kaufman County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Howie told inForney.com.
Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood says the highway will likely be reopened by 11 a.m.
Of the 88 head of cattle, 14 have been declared deceased or injured, according to Wood. Local veterinarian Casey Risinger is assisting with any animals which might need euthanized and the Texas Animal Health Commission which is assisting in disposal of any carcasses, stated Wood.
The College Mound Volunteer Fire Department and Terrell Volunteer Fire Department are also on scene as mutual aid.
The interstate is expected to be closed for several hours. Traffic is being diverted off the interstate at FM 47.
This is a developing story.
