NEW: Wrong way driver airlifted to hospital after crashing into gas pipeline in Mansfield
The Mansfield Police Department is investigating a serious crash that caused a major fire overnight at the Highway 360 and Highway 287 interchange.
At 1:07am this morning, Mansfield PD and Grand Prairie PD received 9-1-1 calls of a wrong way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 360 near Ragland Road.
A short time later, the vehicle was captured on the NTTA camera system and confirmed to be traveling the wrong direction.
As the driver passed under the Highway 287 bridge, the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a gas pipeline behind the 7-11 Exxon station at Barrington Way and Highway 287. The impact of the collision caused a major explosion and fire.
Numerous firefighters from Mansfield FD responded to the scene. The driver was critically injured in the crash, sustaining significant burns and traumatic injuries. CareFlite was called to the scene and airlifted the driver to Parkland Hospital for treatment.
A large fire burned for hours as crews contained the situation and called for evacuations in the immediate area. At around 3:35am, gas flowing through the pipeline was shut off and the fire was put out. Evacuations were lifted around 4:00am.
Police say high speeds were a factor in the crash. Charges are pending based on the outcome of the investigation.
