9:46 AM on Jul 21, 2024 CDT — Updated at 9:51 PM on Jul 21, 2024 CDT
Update:
Updated 9:45 p.m.: Revised to include additional information about impacts to DART’s light rail services.
Four Dallas firefighters were injured Sunday morning when their truck drove off an elevated roadway.
The crash occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on Interstate 345 near South Good Latimer Expressway, where the fire engine fell from the highway onto the DART tracks below, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Robert Borse.
The four injured crew members were taken to Baylor University Medical Center. They are listed in stable condition, according to Borse.
A DART official said Sunday night that train service will not resume Monday in downtown’s Central Business District, as repairs are ongoing. “Substantial delays” should be expected for morning customers in the area, according to a DART news release.
Dallas police said the preliminary investigation indicated the firetruck “hydroplaned, lost control and went off the bridge landing on the DART tracks below.” Rain was in the forecast for Sunday, and pelted areas surrounding downtown in the morning and afternoon.
Portions of I-345, South Good Latimer Expressway, Routh Street and the DART Rail system remain closed hours after the crash.
DART services lost power in the business district because of the crash, the agency said in a news release. Bus bridges were implemented at several light rail locations, including Cityplace/Uptown, Deep Ellum, Pearl/Arts District, West End, EBJ/Union and Victory.
Bus shuttles will service the impacted stations in place of the light rail service and help passengers make connections to other light rail trains.
“The crash resulted in severe damage to the DART system which will take a significant amount of time to repair,” the release said. “Moreover, Dallas police officials are investigating the crash, which means that DART cannot immediately begin the repairs to fully restore service.”
Passengers should expect significant delays during the investigation and repairs.
