TEXAS

A tractor-trailer slammed into construction beams along a major interstate Thursday, killing one person and halting traffic in both directions, authorities said. The truck hit a beam being used to build a bridge across Interstate 35 in Salado, Texas, north of Austin. Debris then toppled onto the interstate and was struck by other vehicles, a transportation department spokeswoman said.

The beam fell onto a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction, killing the driver, authorities said. Three other people were taken to hospitals. The 18-wheeler came to a stop under the overpass with its cab heavily damaged. The Bell County sheriff's office said traffic was stopped in both directions and backed up for miles along the interstate. - AP