Staff report

The driver of an 18-wheeler had to be extricated from his vehicle Monday after he lost control on northbound Interstate 35 and slammed into a tree along the access road. 

The accident happened at around 6:35 p.m. Monday. The driver, identified as 57-year-old Paul Edwin Murphey, was transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin in critical condition. His current condition is unknown at this time. According to a City of Kyle press release, Murphey’s trailer has California tags and he has an Iowa driver’s license. 

According to Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett, Murphey was traveling northbound on IH-35 near exit 214 when its believed he lost control of his vehicle. 

Witnesses told police Murphey’s 18-wheeler struck the center median retaining wall, then veered right and left the roadway. His vehicle then struck a tree. 

Murphey was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by the Kyle Fire Department. 

The accident forced emergency officials to shut down the access road between Center Street and Brent Boulevard for approximately 2.5 hours. One lane of northbound IH-35 was also affected by the closure. 

No cause or reason for the accident is available at this time. A toxicology report was ordered but has not been returned.