A severe dust storm Friday led to a catastrophic multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 27 between Canyon and Happy, as extreme winds created dangerous brownout conditions across the Texas Panhandle.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), approximately 40 vehicles were involved in the crash, which spanned several miles. The incident was declared a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), with around 20 individuals transported to local hospitals via ambulance. The severity of their injuries has not yet been disclosed.
Friday’s powerful winds wreaked havoc across the Panhandle, toppling semi-trucks, downing power lines, and drastically reducing visibility on roadways. The sudden dust storms created near-zero visibility on I-27, leading to the massive collision.
“Drivers were caught off guard by the brownout conditions,” said DPS Sergeant Cindy Barkley. “With no visibility, vehicles were unable to stop in time, resulting in this chain-reaction crash.”
Emergency responders worked for hours to clear the wreckage and assist the injured. Traffic on I-27 was shut down in both directions as authorities conducted rescue efforts and investigated the scene.
The National Weather Service had warned of gusts exceeding 60 mph, which contributed to the chaotic conditions leading up to the pileup.
DPS officials are investigating the crash, and further updates on the victims' conditions and road re-openings are expected in the coming days.
