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FORT WORTH, Tarrant County, TX, Sept. 24, 2026 — One person died Thursday, September 24, after a trash truck struck a bridge pillar on southbound Hwy 287 near Berry Street, according to Fort Worth Police and Fire. A second person reportedly suffered critical injuries.
Fort Worth Police and Fire said crews responded to the crash on southbound Hwy 287 near Berry Street and found one person dead at the scene. A second occupant was reported to be in critical condition, based on preliminary information released at the time.
All northbound and southbound lanes of Hwy 287 were later shut down, authorities said. The Texas Department of Transportation was notified because the crash damaged a bridge support, according to the update.
The circumstances that led the truck to strike the pillar remain under investigation. Fort Worth Police and Fire had urged drivers to avoid the area while crews worked the scene and lanes remained closed.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
How Misconceptions Impact the Severity of a Truck Crash
Many drivers assume that a crash involving a large truck like a garbage or trash collection vehicle is mainly a danger to the truck's own occupants, given the size and weight of the vehicle, but the data say otherwise.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 70 percent of people killed in large-truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles in 2023. The size of a truck does not make the people inside it safe from a serious crash; it shifts the harm to whoever is in the smaller vehicle or, in cases like a collision with a fixed structure, to occupants thrown against the cab or ejected on impact.
This is worth remembering anytime a truck crash makes the news. The truck's size explains why bridges, guardrails, and other vehicles absorb so much damage, but it does not mean the people riding in the truck come away unharmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a crash involving a commercial or trash truck?
Call 911 if you have not already, move to a safe location if possible, and wait for police to document the scene. Get medical care even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms show up later.
Why do large trucks need so much distance to stop?
Trucks carry more weight and have longer stopping distances than passenger cars, especially when loaded. That extra weight means more time and space are needed to slow down or avoid a sudden obstacle.
What makes truck crashes more dangerous than typical car accidents?
The size and weight difference between a truck and a passenger vehicle means the smaller vehicle and its occupants usually absorb more force in a collision. Trucks striking fixed objects, like a bridge pillar, can also affect the structure itself and complicate the response.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Fort Worth, TX
If you're involved in or witness a truck crash in Fort Worth, prioritize safety first. Move away from traffic lanes if you're able, and call 911 to report injuries or hazards like fuel leaks or road debris. Follow instructions from police and fire crews, who may need to close lanes or reroute traffic while they clear the scene.
Even if you feel fine afterward, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional. Adrenaline can mask pain from a jolt or impact, and some injuries take hours or days to appear. Keep any paperwork from police and medical providers in case you need it later for insurance or other follow-up.
