Wednesday marks five years since a massive chain-reaction crash on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth left six people dead and dozens injured after icy conditions turned an elevated stretch of highway into a sheet of black ice.
The crash happened in the early morning hours of February 11, 2021, on the northbound lanes of I-35W near Northside Drive. More than 130 vehicles were involved in the pileup as drivers lost control on the frozen roadway.
Six people were killed and at least 65 others were injured, according to Fort Worth officials. The wreck shut down a major corridor through the city for much of the day and required a large-scale emergency response from Fort Worth police, fire crews and MedStar.
Investigations later determined that freezing precipitation and untreated pavement on the elevated roadway contributed to the crash. The Texas Department of Transportation reviewed winter weather response protocols following the incident, and lawsuits were filed by some victims and their families.
In the years since, the tragedy has remained a stark reminder of how quickly winter weather can create dangerous driving conditions in North Texas, particularly on bridges and overpasses that freeze faster than surface roads.
Officials continue to urge drivers to slow down and avoid travel during icy conditions, especially on elevated highways.
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