Produce Cleanup Keeps US 77 Closed for Hours

Texas Department of Transportation has closed US 77 between FM 2436 (Hostyn cutoff) and the Bluff as workers clean up the wreckage from a 18-wheeler carrying produce that wrecked last night.

The truck overturned last night, April 11, near Peter Rainosek Loop about three miles south of the Bluff. The driver was not injured. The truck was carrying cases of fresh produce including onions, tomatos, limes, cilantro, avacados and lettuce. Chief Deputy Randy Noviskie of the Sheriff's Office said the cargo was too heavy for a wrecker to pull the rig back onto its wheels. Workers are unloading the refrigerated box trailer case by case in order to lighten the load. Noviskie said the cleanup could take until 4 p.m. today. As of 1:45 p.m., he said the workers were about a third of the way through the trailer.

Officials are diverting traffic on US 77 via FM 2436 and FM 609 through Hostyn. Motorist are encouraged to stay away from the area.