Four Separate Car Accidents Cause Major Traffic Jam on Loop 306

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS -- Over the past two hours, San Angelo Police Department (SAPD) officers have been dispatched to five different traffic accidents, four of which caused lane closures on Loop 306.

It all began around a quarter-to-twelve when a white truck pulling a tractor trailer with a mini excavator overturned in the 3700 block of Loop 306. Officer Laudermilk explained that the driver was driving down the Loop when “at some point down the road the truck became squirrelly and got out of control at which point it flipped onto its side and drug on the ground.”

The driver of the truck had just rented the trailer and excavator from United Rentals a short time before, Laudermilk stated. The driver and the truck were both unharmed.

Due to the extensive damage and debris, Traffic was diverted to one lane. During the diversion, three other motor vehicle accidents occurred in the surrounding area.

All three accidents were minor, but did have an impact on traffic. One accident occurred on the overpass above College Hills, one occurred on the frontage road in front of IHop, and the third accident occurred on the frontage road near Community Health Center. All vehicles involved were able to drive after impact and no injuries were reported.

The accident involving the tractor trailer caused major damage to the nearby guardrails on Loop 306. “TxDot is going to take care [of the guardrails],” Laudermilk said. So far, all the debris has been moved to the side. A sign or two will be put up for the safety of the drivers on the Loop, but it may take TxDot a while to fix the guardrail completely as they are currently working on the road re-construction further down Loop.

At this time no citations have been given to the driver of the white truck, but police officers will continue to investigate the accident. The trailer was properly secured, however, it did have breakaways which Laudermilk believes may have been the reason for the accident.

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During the four accidents around Loop 306, SAPD officers were also dispatched to a major motor vehicle accident in the 4200 block of Southwest Blvd. Investigating SAPD Officer Steven Quade told an on-scene LIVE! Reported that the accident was caused when a red Hyundai rear-ended a Chevy Malibu. The impact caused the Malibu to rear-end the car in front of it. The driver of the front car was taken to Community Medical Center via ambulance for non-incapacitating injuries. Three kids were involved in the accident, but no major injuries were reported.

The driver of the red Hyundai was given a citation for Failure to Control Speed.