Man killed in fiery 18-wheeler crash on local highway identified

By Christy Soto | Posted: Tue 8:13 AM, Sep 10, 2019 | Updated: Tue 4:51 PM, Sep 10, 2019

ROBINSON, Texas (KWTX) A fiery 18-wheeler-SUV crash early Tuesday in the 4000 block of U.S. Highway 77 in Robinson left the rig’s driver dead and sent the driver of the SUV to a local hospital in critical condition.

Authorities identified the truck driver Tuesday afternoon as Michael Nelson, 73, of Axtell.

They have not identified the driver of the SUV.

The accident happened at around 6:40 a.m. Tuesday just south of Rosenthal Parkway.

The Freightliner truck that Nelson was driving was southbound on U.S. 77 when a tire blew out, Department of Public Safety Sgt. Ryan Howard said.

Nelson lost control of the rig, which slammed into the northbound Ford SUV, overturned and then caught on fire, he said.

Flames engulfed the rig and the driver of the 18 wheeler died at the scene.

The driver of the Ford SUV was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

The crash closed the highway and traffic was diverted onto South Old Robinson Road.

Delays were expected until early Tuesday afternoon.

Power lines were downed in the crash, but Oncor reported that only a few customers were affected.