18-Wheeler Sliced into Texas 71 Overpass in Smithville

On October 24th, an 18-wheeler semi truck carrying an excavator managed to crash into into the bottom portion of a Texas 71 overpass in the Smithville city limits.  The slice into the overpass caused chunks of concrete to scatter about the highway and hit a Dodge Caliber.  The driver escaped major injury although the flying concrete smashed his front car window.

Westbound lanes were closed until well into the afternoon by TxDOT and police officers at the scene.  One could easily see a number of concrete rebars hanging from the bridge bottom.  While TxDOT engineers inspected the bridge, city officials stated that the Colorado St. overpass, which feeds into downtown Smithville, will be closed until further notice.