Video: 2 Texas deputies, 6 inmates safe after crash causes van to burst into flames

The collision occurred when a pickup truck driver ran a red light and T-boned the van

By Samantha Ketterer
Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON — Two deputies and six inmates escaped a prisoner van before it caught fire in downtown Houston on Monday, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire started before noon, after a pickup truck driver ran a red light and T-boned the van at Jackson and Commerce, deputies said.

A video taken by a lieutenant at the scene showed the van stopped in the intersection with a bright orange fire blazing out of the windows.

Two deputies and 6 inmates evacuated this prisoner van before it caught fire at Jackson and Commerce before noon. Witnesses say a pickup driver ran a red light and hit the van. All are heading to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Video from Lt. M. Alvarado #hounews pic.twitter.com/p79swwWGZc
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) November 5, 2018

All of the deputies and inmates in the van were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

“We're grateful no lives were lost,” the sheriff’s office said in a tweet. “Thank you to our colleagues at @HoustonFire.”

Here's the "after" photo of the prisoner transport van and the pickup that collided with it. We're grateful no lives were lost. Thank you to our colleagues at @HoustonFire #hounews pic.twitter.com/ufJAo0p6wV
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) November 5, 2018