HOUSTON – A CenterPoint Energy employee died after being trapped for nearly two hours in a crash involving a utility truck and an 18-wheeler on Houston’s South Loop, according to Houston police.
The crash happened around 9:25 a.m. in the 5500 block of South Loop East near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
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Authorities said a CenterPoint Energy truck carrying two employees collided with an 18-wheeler, shutting down multiple lanes as first responders worked the scene.
The Houston Fire Department said three people were involved: the 18-wheeler driver, the CenterPoint Energy truck driver, and a CenterPoint Energy passenger.
Both drivers were able to walk away from the crash. The CenterPoint Energy passenger was trapped in the wreckage for nearly two hours before being rescued and taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Houston police later confirmed that the passenger died from those injuries.
CenterPoint Energy confirmed two of its employees were inside the truck at the time of the crash. One employee was able to exit safely, while the other required rescue by first responders.
“We are grateful to the Houston Fire Department and other emergency personnel for their quick and professional response,” said CenterPoint Energy spokesperson Augusto Bernal. “Our thoughts are with our employees and their families, and we are working to support them during this time.”
The crash was initially described by police as a major incident. The cause remains under investigation.