DEER PARK, Texas – The sole cause of the Deer Park pipeline explosion and fire has been identified: the car that crashed into the pipeline.
A recently shared report from the Texas Railroad Commission, the state agency tasked with regulating pipelines, shows that the pipeline had zero safety violations.
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The report, obtained by KPRC 2, goes in-depth on the timeline leading up to the crash and the work that took place to get the pipeline back online in less than a week.
A vehicle, driven by Jonathan McEvoy, 51, of Deer Park, crashed into the pipeline off Spencer Highway on Sept. 16, 2024.
According to investigators, McEvoy crashed into the pipeline on purpose. His official cause of death was ruled a suicide.
The result of the crash was an explosion, with flames shooting a hundred feet into the sky
However, the investigation reveals that the pipeline itself was not at fault. The fire was triggered when a car collided with the pipeline, damaging a part of a pipeline that sticks out of the ground.
According to the investigation documents, the 20-inch pipeline spans across six counties and 126 miles.
The fire originated from a three-inch blowdown valve, a component of the underground pipeline that protrudes above ground, allowing crews to manage the flow beneath.
Despite the intensity of the fire, the investigation found no safety violations. The pipeline was functioning correctly until it was intentionally struck by a vehicle.
Today, many homes in the area are still in the process of being fixed or entirely rebuilt. But that doesn’t mean that every family is ready to move back in.
Some, like the Rodriguez Family, are left feeling uneasy, with some even considering selling their properties due to the perceived danger.
To prevent similar incidents, Energy Transfer, the owner of the pipeline, has installed large concrete barriers around the site and other similar locations. Although not legally required, these barriers serve as a precautionary measure to prevent vehicles from crashing into pipeline components.
This proactive approach aims to enhance safety and reassure the community, ensuring that such an event is less likely to occur again.
