UPDATE: Caliche Spill Triggers 14-Vehicle Pileup on I-20 Near Wickett

MONAHANS, TX — A truck spilling caliche dirt onto Interstate 20 created a dust cloud that triggered a 14-vehicle pileup near Wickett, injuring 16 people and prompting a mass casualty response Monday evening. 

The crash occurred around 5:45 p.m. at mile marker 74 on westbound I-20 in Ward County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. A truck tractor towing a dump trailer partially lost its load of caliche dirt (cemented soil) onto the roadway. Other vehicles drove through the material, creating a large dust cloud that significantly reduced visibility and led to the chain-reaction collision, DPS reported. 

Sixteen people were injured, according to DPS. One driver was taken to Medical Center Hospital with serious injuries. The remaining injured drivers were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries. 

The crash remains under investigation. 

Ward County EMS declared a mass casualty incident and was assisted by the Monahans Volunteer Fire Department, Reeves County Emergency Service Districts Nos. 1 and 2, Winkler County EMS and other neighboring agencies.