Quick Facts:
Where: The accident occurred on the Highway 105 Bypass at the exchange with Highway 59 in Cleveland, Texas.
What Happened: A passenger vehicle allegedly crossed over the center line of the roadway and struck a tanker truck in the oncoming lanes.
Participants:
- Gerardo Benjamin Portillo Vasquez, driver of Toyota Corolla
- Driver of tanker truck
Reported Injuries/Fatalities:
- Gerardo Benjamin Portillo Vasquez, 20, killed
Details:
On or about Saturday, January 1st, 2022, around 7:00 in the morning, a major accident between a tanker truck hauling hazardous chemicals and a passenger vehicle claimed the life of a 20-year-old man from Dayton. Deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department said the accident was reported along the Highway 105 Bypass at or near the intersection with Highway 59 in Cleveland, Texas.
Spokespeople from the Department of Public Safety said 20-year-old Gerardo Benjamin Portillo Vasquez was killed when the Toyota Corolla he was driving allegedly veered over the center line of the Highway 105 Bypass. After the initial collision, Vasquez’ Toyota Corolla burst into flames. Emergency responders pronounced Vasquez dead of his injuries a short time after they arrived. Police did not mention any injuries from the tractor-trailer driver in their statement on the accident.
According to Google Maps, the scene of the accident is situated about 46 miles northeast of downtown Houston.
Police are still investigating the accident.