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Oct 13, 2008 6:34 pm US/Central
Bridge Damaged By Tanker Fire Must Be Replaced
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The traffic tie-ups at U.S. 175 and State Highway 310 are going to continue for some time.
The southbound lanes of 310 at 175 were closed by Sunday's fiery tanker truck explosion and fire.
Monday, Texas Department of Transportation officials inspected the bridge for damage. They say the bridge is so heavily damaged it must be demolished and replaced. That means the bridge will be closed indefinitely -- possibly for as long as six months.
Detour signs are posted in the area. Here's a breakdown of what's open and closed:
Southbound SH 310 is closed
Northbound SH 310 has one lane open
US 175 eastbound is closed
Westbound US 175 is open
For a complete look, visit our Traffic Section for alternate routes.
The tanker truck that crashed and exploded Sunday afternoon was carrying 7,000 gallons of gasoline. Thick smoke filled the air near downtown Dallas following the crash.
Locals often refer to the area as "Dead Man's Curve."
Witnesses said the driver, Robert Pride, took the curve too fast. Price told investigators the truck blew a tire and then the vehicle flipped.
Pride was pulled out of the truck by a person passing by. He received minor scrapes, bumps and bruises.
John Chiles was one of the people who helped the driver from the flipped truck.
"When it blew up, we were out of the car. We had him when it blew up. The fire started from one part and because of the wind it rushed to the bank of the tanker, it was underneath like a ball. And we're just grabbing him, trying to get him out of there," he recalled.
The truck driver, identified by the Dallas County Sheriff's Department as Robert Lee Pride, received minor scrapes, bumps and bruises. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
TxDOT says the Oklahoma company which owns the truck, United Petroleum Transports, will be held liable for the cost of replacing the bridge.
A company spokesperson said he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. According to the company, Pride has a clean driving record.
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