A major accident just before noon Monday, shut down Interstate 20 in Ranger.
The accident involved 6 trucks, 4 vehicles and several other minor collisions at Ranger Hill, all backing up traffic at least 20 miles in both directions.
All lanes of traffic opened at about 6:30 PM. That left the interstate shut down for over 6 hours, leaving motorists stranded.
The wreck spanned less than a mile but shut down more than 20 miles of interstate.
Multiple 18-wheelers were involved in the 14 car accident that sent one woman to the hospital in critical condition.
Ranger Hill is notorious for its dangerous conditions, especially in wet weather, but those who have worked accidents here before, have never seen something quite like this.
DPS Trooper, Michael Orsini have seen wrecks here first hand.
"I've been here since 2004 and this is probably the worst accident I've seen on Ranger Hill," Orsini said.
"I know this is a tough business running these trucks up and down these highways all day," said one trucker about the risky roadways.
It's something the guys driving the big trucks see more than they want to in a year.
"Oh we do this probably every 2 to 3 months (sit in traffic like this)...yeah, in different states for the same reason," said another trucker driving across country. "I mean what can you do though, shoot, accidents happen."
Monday's accident blocked traffic for miles. Before authorities shut the interstate down at Eastland, eastbound travelers were turned around at the top of Ranger Hill.
One motorist explained, "This is our second time we looped around (really), yes.. and it's still pretty bad."
It gave a lot of cross country travelers a real kink in their plans. The Manzano family is driving from California to Louisiana , and were turned back towards home near the wreck.
"So we're gonna have to find an alternative route I guess," said Mr. Manzano.
This will add at least another hour to their drive. Drivers didn't have a choice though. Investigating a crash scene takes top priority.
"I guess you gotta grin and bare," said another turned away driver.
Grinning and baring it though will be hard for those involved. Some of those involved in the multi-car wreck said there will most likely be a lot of litigation involved in this accident.
Troopers left the scene Monday evening and will get together Tuesday morning to piece together these crashes and continue the investigation.
The accident involved 6 trucks, 4 vehicles and several other minor collisions at Ranger Hill, all backing up traffic at least 20 miles in both directions.
All lanes of traffic opened at about 6:30 PM. That left the interstate shut down for over 6 hours, leaving motorists stranded.
The wreck spanned less than a mile but shut down more than 20 miles of interstate.
Multiple 18-wheelers were involved in the 14 car accident that sent one woman to the hospital in critical condition.
Ranger Hill is notorious for its dangerous conditions, especially in wet weather, but those who have worked accidents here before, have never seen something quite like this.
DPS Trooper, Michael Orsini have seen wrecks here first hand.
"I've been here since 2004 and this is probably the worst accident I've seen on Ranger Hill," Orsini said.
"I know this is a tough business running these trucks up and down these highways all day," said one trucker about the risky roadways.
It's something the guys driving the big trucks see more than they want to in a year.
"Oh we do this probably every 2 to 3 months (sit in traffic like this)...yeah, in different states for the same reason," said another trucker driving across country. "I mean what can you do though, shoot, accidents happen."
Monday's accident blocked traffic for miles. Before authorities shut the interstate down at Eastland, eastbound travelers were turned around at the top of Ranger Hill.
One motorist explained, "This is our second time we looped around (really), yes.. and it's still pretty bad."
It gave a lot of cross country travelers a real kink in their plans. The Manzano family is driving from California to Louisiana , and were turned back towards home near the wreck.
"So we're gonna have to find an alternative route I guess," said Mr. Manzano.
This will add at least another hour to their drive. Drivers didn't have a choice though. Investigating a crash scene takes top priority.
"I guess you gotta grin and bare," said another turned away driver.
Grinning and baring it though will be hard for those involved. Some of those involved in the multi-car wreck said there will most likely be a lot of litigation involved in this accident.
Troopers left the scene Monday evening and will get together Tuesday morning to piece together these crashes and continue the investigation.
