2 dead in Carson County crash, truck left partially hanging off I-40 bridge

Two people died, and a box truck was left partially hanging off a bridge on Interstate 40 after a single-vehicle crash in Carson County on Thursday morning, authorities said.

At about 8:25 a.m. Thursday, July 4, a 2021 International (straight truck) was traveling east in the left lane of I-40, approximately a quarter mile north of Groom, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). For an unknown reason, the driver failed to drive in a single lane, and the truck drifted off the roadway, traveling partially into the center median and striking the north side guardrail, flattening all three tires on its left side.

The truck then traveled across both eastbound lanes and struck the guardrail on the south side. It was overturned onto its left side, landing on the concrete bridge railing, which crushed the roof of the cab, DPS said. The truck came to a final rest on its top, partially hanging off the bridge. Both occupants were killed.

The driver, Richard Uzohu, 38, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and a passenger were pronounced dead at the scene by the Carson County Justice of the Peace Jean Hardeman. The passenger was not identified, and next of kin had not yet been notified.

The posted speed limit was 60 mph, and road conditions were dry and clear at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation.