Portions of Loop 20 reopen after daylong closure tied to jet crash

After a daylong closure, portions of one of Laredo's main arterial roadways have reopened, the Laredo Police Department reported Wednesday evening. Loop 20 had been closed from Saunders Street southbound and Texas 359 northbound as law enforcement agencies investigated and cleared the scene of Tuesday night's fatal plane crash. The crash killed 50-year-old Austin tech leader and Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer and injured five others aboard the aircraft, including two teenagers and three middle-aged adults. As of 4:44 p.m., the southbound frontage road lanes on Loop 20 had reopened, police confirmed. Earlier Wednesday, Chief Miguel A. Rodriguez said authorities were aiming to reopen the corridor by 5 p.m., though he cautioned that the timeline was not guaranteed. “We are closing from Cuatro Vientos to Saunders,” Rodriguez said. “We can’t promise it will be open by 5 p.m., but we’ll do our best.” LPD Investigator and Public Information Officer Joe Baeza acknowledged the frustration many drivers experienced throughout the day as traffic backed up along major roadways, including Zapata Highway and Highway 359. Heavy congestion stretched beyond Laredo College South Campus and Ejido Road, according to reports from commuters on social media. “This is kind of a first in regards to a lot of people with something to happen to a major arterial highway,” Baeza said. “We have no other choice on the matter other than getting people through.” Additional information regarding roadway reopenings is expected as authorities continue to clear the area and conclude their investigation.