Houston Pipeline Fire Caused by Local Man's Crash

Seizures suspected in crash that ignited 4-day Houston blaze
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Oct 2, 2024 1:18 AM CDT
Houston Pipeline Fire Caused by Local Man's Crash
A pipeline fire continues to burn for a second day near Deer Park, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. The explosion forced residents in hundreds of nearby homes to evacuate.   (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)

A fiery accident in a Houston suburb that led to a four-day blaze has been linked to Jonathan McEvoy, 51, local authorities confirmed. The incident unfolded after McEvoy's vehicle struck a pipeline valve, prompting a massive evacuation. Deer Park Police Lt. Chris Brown stated that the cause of McEvoy's death and the reason the vehicle crashed remain under investigation.

Energy Transfer, the company owning the pipeline, termed the incident an accident. Both police and FBI ruled out any terrorist involvement. McEvoy's family, speaking to KPRC-TV, suggested his recent seizures might have played a role in the crash, although they did not comment further when contacted by the Associated Press.

The crash on Sept. 16 caused a fire that raged for four days, burning itself out and forcing residents to evacuate due to the extreme heat, which melted cars and mailboxes. McEvoy's remains were identified after the fire subsided and his SUV remained near the valve throughout the incident. Authorities continue to sift through evidence to shed light on the exact sequence of events that led to the crash. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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