Danger on nation's fastest highway: feral hogs

Just one day after the fastest highway in the nation opened, a car rolled over resulting in minor injuries. It's unknown at this point if speed was a factor. NBC's Brian Williams reports. By NBC News staff Life in the fast lane might not be all it's talked up to be. That's because drivers in Texas are reportedly running into wildlife on a newly opened section of the Lone Star State's Highway 130 — which has been widely touted as the fastest road in the nation with a posted speed limit of 85 mph. The 41-mile stretch of public-private toll road, which runs between Austin and San Antonio, opened to drivers on Wednesday. The San Antonio Express-News reported that at least two hogs and a deer have been hit on the road since it opened. Officials say no drivers were injured in those incidents, according to the newspaper. The hogs are a normal sight in the area — Texas claims the largest feral hog population in the country, according to the Express-News. Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter On Thursday, a driver had minor injuries after the first vehicle rollover happened on the road close to Interstate 10, according to the Express-News. An official with the Texas Department of Public Safety told the newspaper he does not believe speed was a factor. This toll road extension was built and is being maintained by the State Highway 130 Concession Co., according to the Express-News. A spokesman for this private company did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment Friday morning. The new span of toll road is intended to alleviate congestion on parts of Interstate 35, which runs parallel. Utah is the only other state in the country with posted speeds at 80 mph, with that as the limit on portions of Interstate 15, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. With a speed limit of 85 mph, the 41-mile stretch of toll road between Austin and San Antonio could be the beginning of an autobahn concept in the U.S. NBC's Janet Shamlian reports. More content from NBCNews.com: Plane truth: Millions spent on rarely used airport Copyright case could threaten eBay and garage sales Abducted Pennsylvania baby found dead; suspect in custody Texas schools begin tracking students with computer chips Mother reunited with son 5 years after child's abduction Video: East Coast on watch for Hurricane Sandy Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook