An 18-wheeler crashed into a Japanese steakhouse in Fort Bend County restaurant on Thursday morning, leaving the driver dead, three others hurt and the building evacuated.
The accident took place at about 9 a.m. at Shogun Grill & Sushi Bar, located at 7417 W. Grand Parkway in Richmond, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.
The truck veered off a southbound lane, crossed the median and crashed into the restaurant. At least two other cars were struck. The driver may have been stricken while driving, leading to the dangerous criss-cross of the Fort Bend County thoroughfare.
Shogun is on the northern end of a strip of businesses. It is adjacent to the former Palladium movie complex.
At the scene, Newsradio 740 KTRH found the big rig to be fully inside in the restaurant -- driven through the large window overlooking the highway.
A hazmat response team was on the team because the truck is carrying refrigerated nitrogen -- but the load is not considered hazardous.
The rig was pulling a Matheson gas container. Matheson is a 90-year-old gas company with operations in 16 countries. The trailer bears a "1977" hazmat placard -- the required signage when carrying certain materials -- meaning it is carrying refrigerated liquid nitrogen, a non-flammable gas.
Traffic along the Grand Parkway feeder road was halted, then opened to one lane, as a host of emergency responders arrived at the scene.