On Oct. 4, the Alvarado Fire Department was notified of a major accident on Interstate 35W at the 21 Mile Marker.
Secondary dispatch information stated that an 18-wheeler struck another vehicle and there was a person trapped inside.
Upon arrival, Alvarado Engine 2 found one 18-wheeler that had crossed over the center median and struck another vehicle. The driver of the 18-wheeler had to be extricated from the cab of his truck.
This was an extensive process that took approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, and utilized a variety of extrication tools.
A CareFlite helicopter was called to the scene to transport the driver of the 18-wheeler. Due to the extensive extrication time, the aircraft crew had to remain on scene for over an hour. Upon successful extrication of the driver he was airlifted to a local trauma center.
The driver of the small SUV was pronounced dead on the scene by the local medical examiner.