A tire blowout on an 18-wheeler sent diesel fuel streaming across roughly 300 yards of southbound I-45 on Thursday, Aug. 13, after the truck veered into a car carrier and ruptured its own fuel cell.
No one was injured.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Accident Unit responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m., according to Montgomery County Police Reporter. The blowout struck the truck's right steering-wheel tire, pushing the 18-wheeler to the right, where it collided with a car carrier traveling in the same direction. The impact tore open the truck's fuel cell, releasing diesel across the roadway.
Three companies were called in to handle the aftermath. Kwik Tow removed the damaged car carrier. Conroe-based Miller Towing & Recovery hauled away the 18-wheeler. Masters handled the diesel cleanup.
The exact location on southbound I-45 has not been specified by authorities, and the duration of any lane closures remains unclear. No charges or citations have been reported, and the identity of the truck driver and the trucking company have not been released.
The crash adds to a grim tally on the interstate that thousands of Woodlands-area residents drive daily. TxDOT data shows I-45 recorded more than 40,000 crashes and 251 fatalities between 2020 and 2024, the highest fatality rate of any major Houston-area freeway.
Thursday's incident came one day after a separate multi-vehicle wreck on northbound I-45 between League Line and Seven Coves in Conroe on Wednesday, Aug. 12, where an 18-wheeler, five vehicles and a dump truck were involved in a crash around 3 p.m.
No charges have been filed, and the MCSO has not indicated whether the crash remains under investigation.
