Gas line repaired, evacuation over

TYLER — UPDATE: CenterPoint Energy had capped off the main natural gas line so no further natural gas will be released into the air from the damage caused by the single vehicle crash. Any residents who were evacuated can now return to their homes.

Residents near U.S. Highway 31 were asked to evacuate after a vehicle crash on Thursday morning ruptured a main natural gas line. According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Police Department responded to a crash at 2:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 31 West and Whiteside Drive where a vehicle struck a natural gas pipeline, causing it to rupture.

The driver of the van is identified as Don Porter, a 57-year-old male from Tyler was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and booked into the Smith County Jail.

Traffic on U.S. Highway 31 between Eisenhower Drive and Loop 323 is being redirected and officials are asking people to seek alternate routes and to avoid the area. Residents were asked to evacuate the area due to the gas leak.

According to the police department, the driver was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. There were no injuries reported due to the vehicle crash, but a police sergeant has been hospitalized due to illness from exposure to the gas leak.

Police said it will take several hours to fully shut off and repair the gas line, but CenterPoint Energy has reduced the concentration of the gas leak by closing several remote valves.

A crew from Houston is on their way to assist repairing the main cap that was damaged in the crash. Natural gas can be smelled from at least a block away.