US 287 lanes closed in Fort Worth after fatal dumpster truck overpass crash
FORT WORTH, Texas - One person is dead and another is hospitalized in critical condition following a fiery single-vehicle crash involving a dumpster truck in Fort Worth Wednesday evening, police said.
Highway 287 fatal crash
What we know:
The crash happened at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 287 and Erath Street, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.
Investigators said two men were occupying a dumpster truck traveling along the highway when the vehicle left the roadway and slammed into a bridge support pillar underneath the overpass.
The impact snapped a concrete pillar and caused substantial structural damage to the bridge. One occupant was ejected from the truck and died at the scene. The second occupant was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
Hwy. 287 Road Closure
The crash prompted immediate and extensive road closures that extended into Thursday. All main lanes of U.S. 287 in both directions are forced onto service roads in the area, and the Erath Street overpass is closed to traffic.
Southbound drivers are being diverted off the highway at Berry Street, while northbound drivers are forced to exit at Miller Avenue/Street. Transportation officials warned that bridge repairs are extensive and could take days or weeks to complete as crews evaluate the structural integrity of the overpass.
What's next:
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims pending family notification. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by Fort Worth police.
Drivers are urged to continue avoiding the U.S. 287 corridor near Erath Street and seek alternate routes.
The Source: Information in this article is from emergency officials on the scene.