ABC-7 viewers want to know why freeway was shut down

ABC-7 received an email from a viewer who was stuck on Interstate 10 for an hour and a half on Monday morning after a Los Paisanos bus driver suffered a heart attack and died near the Downtown exit.

The viewer specifically wanted to know who is responsible for handling situations like that and whether a complete closure of a freeway is really needed. I-10 east came to a sudden halt just past Downtown, after the driver had a heart attack.

The incident happened just before 7 a.m. The I-10 east lanes were not reopened until nearly noon.

The police procedures manuals says they will collaborate with TxDOT in decisions to close any portions of the following priority roadways: Interstate 10, U.S. 54, Montana Avenue and Mesa Street.

TxDOT said the decision was made by El Paso Police, who sent us this statement:

“The El Paso Police Department responded to a traffic crash that occurred on Interstate 10 East yesterday morning that involved a commercial bus. Officers at the scene learned that the driver had died at a local hospital. Due to the death of the driver, Special Traffic Investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation. We recognize the impact these types of investigations have on motorists however, the safety of the investigators, and the need to document the entire scene, led to the decision to shut down the roadway. It is unfortunate that this caused an inconvenience and delays for those traveling on the interstate but we hope that the public understands and respects the need to ensure the safety of the investigators during these types of investigations.”

ABC-7 asked EPPD if all lanes needed to be closed for this type of investigation.

EPPD responded: “They have to construct a scaled diagram of the entire roadway, including emergency lanes.”