Intersection of West Highway 190 and Big Divide in Copperas Cove now a three-way stop after Tuesday morning accident

By BRITTANY FHOLER

Cove Leader-Press

Copperas Cove fire and police responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning at the intersection of Big Divide Road and West Highway190 just inside the Copperas Cove city limits.

Units arrived on scene to find a dump truck on fire and a mid-sized pickup truck in the middle of the intersection, with some damage on the rear driver-side of the vehicle, said Copperas Cove Deputy Fire Chief Gary Young.

The dump truck loaded with a road base and towing a trailer was reported to be traveling west in the 2200 block of West Highway 190 when it struck the pickup truck turning east onto the hightway from Big Divide Road, according to Lt. Krystal Baker with the Copperas Cove Police Department.

The dump truck also collided with a traffic light pole at the intersection, which officials believe led to the rupturing of the fuel tank and the dump truck catching on fire, according to Young.

The driver of the dump truck was able to exit his vehicle prior to officers or firefighters arriving on scene and is reported to have refused medical care. The driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital for evaluation with non-life threatening injuries, according to officials.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and the outcome of the investigation will determine what charges will be filed, if any, said Lt. Baker.

Fire Engine 1, Medic 2, Fire Chief, and Battalion 1 responded, said Young. Acadian EMS was passing by and offered assistance, as did Kempner Volunteer Fire Department, but neither’s assistance was needed, Young added.

For now, the intersection of West Highway 190 and Big Divide Road will be a three-way stop until repairs are completed, with the traffic lights flashing red in each direction.