Road Remains Closed After Fatal Plane Crash On Texas Highway

A stretch of highway remained closed early Wednesday after a private plane crashed Tuesday night, killing one person on board, officials said.

The Laredo Police Department said a private plane carrying six people crashed at around 10 p.m. Tuesday on Loop 20, near the border with Mexico.

Videos shared on social media showed bystanders rushing to rescue the occupants from the burning wreckage, trying to pry open a door and ultimately breaking the glass over the cockpit.

A video shared by police shows firefighters extinguishing the blaze. One person from the plane was confirmed dead. A motorist who was in a vehicle struck by the plane was transported to the hospital in stable condition. Five officers were reportedly treated for smoke inhalation.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet departed San José del Cabo, Mexico, and was en route to Austin, Texas.

The Laredo Police Department is asking witnesses with dashcam or other video footage of the crash to submit it for investigators to review.

On Wednesday morning, police said Loop 20 would remain closed from Saunders southbound and Highway 359 northbound. Certain surrounding access roads were also expected to be affected.

“We understand the inconvenience and traffic delays this will cause,” police said. “We ask for your patience during this brief interruption while federal agencies piece together the accident and investigate the aircraft scene.”

NetJets said in a statement that the plane is part of its fleet and that it is cooperating with the investigation.