UPDATED - Driver injured by a large metal panel that possibly fell from an 18-wheeler

Area law enforcement on the state, county, and municipal level were busy on Thursday afternoon searching for an 18-wheeler after a large metal panel possibly came loose from the truck and crashed through another vehicle's windshield, injuring the driver. It happened at about 1:30 on the northbound lanes of Highway 96 between Buna and Kirbyville. Jasper County dispatchers said the panel came from a chip-truck, and the truck driver - oblivious to what had happened - continued traveling northbound. Meanwhile, Jasper County deputies along with Kirbyville and Jasper Police began looking for the big-rig, but at last word they were unable to locate it. Texas DPS Sergeant Shana Clark later identified the victim as 73-year-old Connie Ballard, of Kirbyville. Clark said Ballard was driving a 2018 Ford Mustang and the sheet of metal, measuring approximately 8 feet by 3 feet, struck the passenger side of the windshield. Sergeant Clark said Ballard was transported by ambulance to Jasper Memorial Hospital. There's no word on the severity of her injuries. Clark noted that it's not yet confirmed whether the metal sheet came from the truck itself, or if it was already on the highway and the truck caused it to become airborne.