Tyler: Crash into pipeline causes gas leak, evacuations

**Gas Leak Shuts Down West Grande Boulevard After Vehicle Strikes Pipeline**

Tyler, TX – A vehicle crash into an ATMOS Energy natural gas pipeline last Thursday morning on Tyler’s west side led to a significant gas leak, prompting evacuations and a lengthy road closure, though no injuries were reported.

The incident occurred around 9:30 AM at the intersection of County Road 1121 and West Grande Boulevard when a solo driver’s vehicle struck the pipeline. The impact resulted in a substantial natural gas leak, quickly drawing a multi-agency emergency response.

The Tyler Fire Department, Tyler Police, and Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. For public safety, authorities immediately evacuated nearby businesses, including the Jiffy Lube located in the vicinity, and any other structures within approximately 300 feet of the leak. To manage traffic and ensure safety, a significant stretch of West Grande Boulevard was closed to all traffic, spanning from Shiloh Road to Highway 31.

ATMOS Energy technicians arrived on site and worked for several hours to control the situation. They successfully shut off the gas supply around 1:00 PM that afternoon. By 1:30 PM, affected residents and business owners were given the all-clear to return to their properties. West Grande Boulevard was fully reopened to traffic by 2:45 PM, restoring normal flow to the busy thoroughfare after a chaotic Thursday morning.