Two 18-wheelers and two passenger vehicles were involved in an accident on Interstate 35 southbound across from Baylor’s campus at 12:10 p.m. today. The wreck caused delays for several hours heading into campus during move-in day activities.
The wreck occurred between University Parks and the 500 block of Jack Kultgen Expressway, across from Fazoli’s and McDonald’s. Emergency vehicles were deployed to treat the minor injuries of those involved.
Although the accident occurred in wet conditions, the Waco Police Department has not yet determined how it took place. Both 18-wheelers sustained major damages, including to the axles and back doors. Both remained upright after the accident.
“It happened so fast that I didn’t know what happened,” said John Burns, one of the truck drivers involved in the incident.
Burns was driving a truck carrying 51,000 pounds of soybeans at the time of the collision. A significant portion of these had spilled onto the road after the accident, and a bulldozer was ordered to clear the way.
In addition to the primary accident at 12:10 p.m. , there have been multiple secondary accidents along I-35 South due to traffic complications.
Vehicles driving on I-35 were able to exit at University Parks Drive. Vehicles exited onto Jack Kultgen Expressway in heavy traffic to bypass the blocked interstate.
“I expect that the line of traffic extends well beyond Bellmead,” said Sergeant Patrick Swanton, spokesman for the Waco Police Department.
Swanton also expects that the blocked line of traffic will affect operations on Baylor’s campus. Residence halls opened for new students to move in at 8 a.m. today.
“With everyone moving in it will definitely affect the Baylor campus,” Swanton said.
