A collision involving two 18-wheelers just southwest of Taylor claimed the life of one of the drivers.
Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers responded to the mishap at 1:59 a.m. May 18 at 1660 and FM 973 in Rice’s Crossing.
That accident occurred less than a week after another tragedy on a different stretch of 1660 killed three, officials said.
According to DPS, an International truck tractor hauling a flatbed trailer with large steel pipes headed east on 1660 was involved in a collision with a rig towing a tanker headed northbound on 973.
“The truck tractor traveling eastbound on FM 1660 struck the truck tractor traveling north on FM 973,” said Sgt. Deon Cockrell. “As a result of the crash, the driver of the truck traveling north on FM 973 was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Debris and a fuel spill had to be cleaned up on the roadways.
“FM 1660 eastbound at FM 973 to (Texas State Highway) 95 was closed for several hours,” said Cockrell.
The Texas Department of Transportation reopened some lanes by 9:48 a.m. and all lanes by 6:29 p.m. The crash remains under investigation.
The May 18 tragedy occurred five days after a crash at another intersection on 1660. In that episode, three people lost their lives in a collision involving a pickup and a semi-trailer truck at 1660 and Chandler Road north of Hutto.
Four others were injured.
The Georgetown Independent School District told news station KXAN the crash involved former and current graduates of East View High School.
At the May 19 Hutto City Council meeting, Councilmember Robin Sutton offered her condolences regarding the Chandler Road crash. She also provided an update from TxDOT.
“It wasn’t two months ago when we had a presentation about that intersection and how dangerous it is,” Sutton said. “Before that, there was a meeting with TxDOT and it was on their radar and it was going to be a priority for them.”
Sutton said the highway department is moving ahead on installing a traffic light at the intersection.
“It was already in design phase so that we can see a light going there within six to nine months, and hopefully we can save some lives,” Sutton said.
Meanwhile, to avoid accidents, Cockrell said all drivers should minimize distractions, refrain from driving fatigued, avoid drinking and driving, obey traffic-control devices and always wear a safety belt.
It wasn’t two months ago when we had a presentation about that “ intersection and how dangerous it is.”
- Hutto Councilmember Robin Sutton
