AUSTIN, Texas — An oil tanker explosion in Lee County on Sunday morning has left two people critically injured.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash occurred near the intersection of U.S. 290 and FM 180, east of Giddings, just before 11 a.m.
A truck tractor towing a trailer carrying barrels of crude oil was attempting to enter the eastbound lane on U.S. 290. At the same time, an SUV occupied by two passengers was heading eastbound on U.S. 290.
The trailer and SUV collided, causing the vehicle to catch fire.
Medics treated the passengers of the SUV on scene before they were taken to Austin for treatment, where their current conditions are unknown.
According to Lee County EMS, several organizations – including the Giddings Fire Department, South Lee County Fire Department, Lincoln Fire Department, Giddings Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Texas DPS and Fayette County EMS – responded and assisted in the response to the explosion.