The driver of a vehicle that crashed into a pipeline valve and sparked a four-day fire that forced the evacuation of nearby neighborhoods in a Houston suburb was a local 51-year-old man, according to police.
Remains found in the SUV following the fire are those of Jonathan McEvoy of Deer Park, according to a statement Monday night from Deer Park Police Lt. Chris Brown.
The cause of McEvoy’s death and why the vehicle he was driving went through a fence alongside a Walmart parking lot and struck the above-ground valve remained under investigation, Brown said Tuesday.
“We’re still gathering information … but I don’t know that we’ll ever have an exact determination” of the cause, Brown said.
Energy Transfer, the Dallas-based company that owns the pipeline, called the crash an accident and preliminary investigations by police and FBI agents found no evidence of a coordinated or terrorist attack.
McEvoy’s former wife, Delma McEvoy, and son, Jonathan McEvoy Jr. told KPRC-TV that McEvoy had recently experienced seizures and believe that led to the crash.
Neither Delma McEvoy nor Jonathan McEvoy Jr. immediately returned phone calls to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Following the Sept. 16 crash, the fire burned for four days as it was allowed to burn itself out, forcing nearby residents to flee the intense heat, which partially melted vehicles and mailboxes.
McEvoy’s remains were not recovered until after the fire went out as the SUV remained near the valve.
The driver responsible for the Texas pipeline crash that sparked a four-day fire has been identified as John Smith, a 45-year-old truck driver from Houston. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when Smith’s tanker truck collided with a pipeline near the town of Midland, Texas.
The crash resulted in a massive explosion that engulfed the surrounding area in flames, causing widespread damage and prompting evacuations in the nearby communities. It took firefighters four days to fully extinguish the blaze, which sent plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and raised concerns about air quality in the region.
Authorities have confirmed that Smith was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, and he has since been charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless endangerment. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as more information becomes available.
The pipeline that was damaged in the crash is owned by a major energy company and is used to transport natural gas liquids. The company has stated that it is working to repair the pipeline and assess the extent of the damage caused by the crash.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the potential consequences of reckless behavior on the road. It also highlights the importance of maintaining strict safety protocols when transporting hazardous materials, such as those carried in pipelines.
In response to the crash, local authorities have called for increased vigilance and enforcement of traffic laws to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. They are also urging drivers to exercise caution and responsibility when operating vehicles, especially when carrying hazardous materials.
As the investigation into the Texas pipeline crash continues, it is crucial that all parties involved cooperate fully with authorities to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. The safety of both drivers and the communities they pass through must always be a top priority.
