The clean up continues this morning as Lufkin Police are on the scene of a one-vehicle accident that claimed the life of an out-of-state truck driver.

According to Jessica Pebsworth, Communications Director with the City of Lufkin, the incident occurred around 4:25 this morning when an 18-wheeler travelling southbound on Timberland Drive left the roadway for an unknown reason at the Tulane Drive intersection and traveled several hundred yards before plowing into the AutoZone building and exiting through the other side of the business.  The truck came to rest in a Kiwanis Park tree line behind a neighboring office building.

When officers and firefighters arrived on the scene, they found that the driver was deceased. Firefighters worked for 30 minutes to extricate him from the cab. The truck tore down power lines after leaving the road. Initially, approximately 900 homes were without power but that number was down to 26 as of 6 a.m. Oncor is on the scene and continuing to work to repair power lines and restore power to the rest of the residents and customers.

Two vehicles in the AutoZone parking lot were also damaged in the accident. The truck driver was from out of state. He was hauling bananas.

The northbound lanes of Timberland Drive from South First Street to Tulane Drive continue to be blocked as of 7am this morning. Traffic is moving in the area with motorists sharing the southbound lanes. Expect delays, use caution and avoid the area if at all possible as the cleanup continues.

The accident remains under investigation.

Autozone Accident

The 5 Most Confusing Intersections In Lufkin

Most of these large intersections in Lufkin don't even have stoplights. They will test your courage and all of your driving knowledge.

Rudolph The Red Nose Pumping Unit Gets Lights

Workers have erected Rudolph The Red Nose Pumping Unit in downtown Lufkin. Now they are putting on the lights.

Skyline Burrito Bowl Gets 2nd Location

Tavo Velazquez and his crew have started building a new restaurant out of an old car wash.

Downtown Lufkin Storm Damage

An unconfirmed tornado briefly ran though downtown Lufkin on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021. It knocked out power to Lufkin City Hall and many businesses in the area were affected.

More From Newstalk 860