ELMO, TX – A massive chain-reaction crash involving approximately 20 vehicles, including four 18-wheelers, shut down westbound Interstate 20 for several hours in Kaufman County on Saturday.
The Chain-Reaction Collision
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the incident began around 10:50 a.m. after a minor two-vehicle accident caused traffic to halt near mile marker 511.
As rainy weather conditions worsened, several approaching drivers traveling at unsafe speeds lost control while trying to avoid the stopped traffic. The situation escalated dramatically when a truck-tractor semi-trailer failed to control its speed, slamming into the rear of multiple stationary vehicles and triggering a massive pileup.
Massive Emergency Response
The Elmo Fire Department arrived to find a scene involving 13 passenger vehicles and four commercial semi-trucks. Due to the scale of the destruction and reports of additional secondary crashes on the eastbound side, mutual aid was requested from:
- College Mound Fire Department
- Wills Point Fire Department
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
First responders evaluated a total of 24 patients at the scene. Nine individuals were transported to local hospitals, though authorities confirmed their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Hours-Long Road Closure
TxDOT officials completely closed the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 at mile marker 512 to allow emergency crews and heavy wreckers to clear the debris. The interstate remained blocked for nearly five hours, finally reopening around 3:30 p.m.
Following the incident, the Elmo Fire Department issued a safety reminder to the public: “Please remember to slow down on wet roads.” The crash remains under official investigation by DPS troopers.
