Passing Driver Hurt in Texas Lab Explosion

Officials say a driver has been hurt by flying debris from an explosion at an Austin-area lab associated with the University of Texas.

UT spokeswoman Rhonda Weldon says Tuesday’s accident involved equipment failure in a metal building in Leander, leading to an explosive release of gas. The lab, run by the UT Institute for Advanced Technology, does research on high-velocity projectiles.

James Swartz was driving his truck and was about 50 feet from the site when the structure exploded. Swartz was treated for minor injuries and released from a hospital.

Officials say five workers running an experiment were not injured.

UT environmental and safety experts will help investigate the accident in Leander, about 20 miles northwest of Austin.