Rainbow Bridge remains closed because of an accident that happened at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

According to officials, at approximately 4 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a multiple vehicle crash on the Rainbow Bridge in Orange County.

Preliminary reports indicate that a utility truck was traveling westbound in the inside lane on the Rainbow Bridge (SH 73) followed by a Ford pickup truck.  A Kia passenger vehicle was also traveling westbound in the outside lane on the Rainbow Bridge followed by an Acura SUV.  As traffic slowed down ahead, all four vehicles began to slow down.  A truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling westbound in the outside lane on the Rainbow Bridge and failed to notice the slow moving traffic.  Once the driver of the 18- wheeler noticed the traffic, he veered to the left and rear-ended the Ford pickup truck.  The momentum of the collision caused the Ford pickup to rear-end the utility vehicle and the 18-wheeler then struck the Kia passenger vehicle.  The trailer of the 18-wheeler swung around and pinned the Acura SUV underneath the trailer.

The driver of the Acura was transported by ambulance to the Medical Center of Southeast Texas with minor injuries.

The driver of the Ford pickup truck was taken to an area hospital by personnel vehicle.

The drivers of the utility vehicle, the Kia and the 18-wheeler did not report any injuries

 

The driver of the Acura, 34-year-old Olivia Colin of Groves, was transported by ambulance to the Medical Center of Southeast Texas with minor injuries. The driver of the Ford pickup truck, 26-year-old Dustin Breaux of Orange, was transported by personal vehicle to an area hospital.  His injuries did not appear to be life threatening. There were no other injuries reported. The driver of the 18-wheeler, Fredrick Gens, 59, of Winnie, was issued a traffic citation for failure to control speed. As of 9:30 p.m., the Rainbow Bridge from Bridge City to Port Arthur remains closed. The roadway will remain closed for at least three more hours.  Motorists are urged to find an alternate travel route. There are no further details to be released.