Trucking Accidents

Man Sentenced to 110 Years After Trucking Accident Kills Four

Published on: January 2, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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December 17, 2021 – A Colorado truck driver was sentenced to 110 years in prison for a crash that occurred on I-10 in April of 2019 which left 4 people dead. 26-year-old Texas native Rogel Aguilera Mederos pleaded for leniency and the Colorado judge refused, claiming the law prevent such an action. However, as of today, more than three million have signed a petition asking for clemency or commutation for time served from Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

In April 2019, Rogel was driving down I-10 at 85mph during rush hour when his brakes failed, and he collided with dozens of stopped vehicles. The collision sparked a massive fire that shut I-10 down for roughly 24 hours, killing 4 people trapped by the flames. Among the victims was a 24-year-old named Miguel Angel. Rogel had previously failed to utilize one of the state’s runway truck ramps, which the prosecution focused heavily on during his trial. When asked why, he said that he was unaware that his brakes were out, and that he made efforts to prevent the accident.

Auto Accidents happen every day, but when an 18-wheeler is involved the injuries and damage that occurs can be so much greater. It is important to be aware of your rights if you or someone you love is affected by an auto accident involving an 18-wheeler.

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT – DRIVER OF 18-WHEELER DIES IN FATAL TRAIN CRASH AT HARRIS COUNTY RAILROAD CROSSING

Published on: September 16, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Sept. 16, 2021: HUFFMAN, Texas (KTRK) — The driver of an 18-wheeler died Wednesday, Sept. 8 in the morning when a Kanas City Southern train crashed into the big rig at a busy northeast Harris County railroad crossing. The crash happened just after 7 a.m. at FM 2100 and FM 1960. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that the driver of the semi-truck was killed in the incident.

Video from the crash showed the train stopped on the tracks. Harris County sheriff’s deputies said the cab of the semi-truck was on the tracks when it was hit by the train, which then pushed it about 30 feet down the tracks. Deputies said the truck was headed northbound on FM 2100 and the train was headed east on the tracks before the crash.

A man who works at a nearby gas station said he heard the collision and saw a fire ignite. “I saw a big fire and heard a big noise. That’s it,” the witness said. “I saw the train go through the big fire. That’s all I saw.”

Fatal 18-Wheeler Accident Claims One Life in Smith County, Texas

Published on: September 14, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Recently, one person was killed in a Texas truck accident in Smith County. While details about the accident are still sparse, according to a local news report, the accident occurred on FM 346. The driver of the truck survived the accident with serious injuries. However, an unidentified person was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation, and there is no indication whether criminal charges will be pursued.

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of preventable injury in Texas. In fact, according to the most recent data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there are more than 15,800 people injured and another 3,600 killed in Texas car accidents each year. Truck accidents are responsible for a significant portion of these collisions.

Although Texas does not have the highest population of all U.S. states, it does see the highest number of trucking accidents. In part, this is because of the large number of interstate highways spanning the state. However, there also seems to be a certain disregard of the state’s traffic laws and regulations among many Texas truck drivers. For example, the majority of Texas truck accidents are the result of entirely preventable driving behavior, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, and aggressive driving. There is also a portion of truck accidents caused by vehicle and equipment defects.

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT: Multiple Persons Killed in Car Crashes Across Dallas-Fort Worth

Published on: February 11, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Thursday, February 11, 2021, DALLAS/Fort Worth: Traffic crews and medics responded to several fatal car accidents overnight in North Texas as icy roads caused difficult driving conditions for people. At least eight deaths have been confirmed, officials said.

Pileup crash on I-35W in Fort Worth

More than 75 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup crash Thursday morning on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth, including several 18-wheelers, officials said. A number of people were trapped hours after the crash happened around 6 a.m.

ACCIDENT REPORT: Interstate-35E Crash Near Milford Left 2 Family Members Dead, 2 Injured

Published on: December 22, 2020 | by Carabin Shaw

December 22, 2020: ELLIS COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) — Two family members were killed, and two others were injured after a tragic December 14 crash involving a passenger van and a semi tractor-trailer.

Officials with the Milford Police Department confirm two people in the van died and two others were injured — one serious, one minor — in the afternoon crash on Interstate-35E in south Ellis County.

It was around 5:30 p.m. when police were called out on a “two vehicle major accident”. Once there officials said they quickly realized they needed help and called in more than half-dozen agencies — including DPS, Italy Police and Fire, and Ellis County Sheriff’s deputies.

Accident Injury Report: Distracted Semi Driver Kills Woman on I-35 in Oklahoma

Published on: November 11, 2020 | by Carabin Shaw

Nov. 11, 2020, McCLAIN COUNTY, Oklahoma: Investigators said a truck driver was driving distracted on Interstate 35 where he killed a woman and injured her husband. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers responded to the crash on March 2, 2020, near mile marker 82 in McClain County.

A semi-truck driven by 58-year-old Johnny Spradlin was surrounded by other vehicles approaching a construction zone.

Investigators said surrounding vehicles slowed down, but the 18-wheeler driver Spradlin did not. He crashed into a 2016 Chevy Traverse driven by 63-year-old Julia Kraus and her passenger husband around 9:30 a.m. Kraus was pronounced dead at the scene. Kraus’ husband was injured in the crash but survived.

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT: Man Arrested in Hit and Run Crash That Killed Stranded Motorist

Published on: May 26, 2020 | by Carabin Shaw

May 23, 2020: San Antonio, TEXAS–The crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Friday on Interstate 10 near the Dominion on the north side of San Antonio. Justin Antwan Jackson, 29, the driver of the 18-wheeler, involved in the incident is now charged with failure to Stop and Render Aid after his truck rear-ended a red Ford Fiesta that was stalled on US I-10.

The driver of the car, Donna Falkenberg, 46, was killed in the crash. She was pronounced dead at the scene. San Antonio Police said she was not wearing a seat belt.

According to an arrest affidavit, Jackson was traveling southbound in the right-most lane when it neared the stalled Ford Fiesta, which had on its hazard lights. Jackson told police that he tried to avoid another vehicle that appeared to be crossing into the lane next to him and did not see the Ford until the crash was unavoidable.

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT: Cadillac Driver Killed in 18-Wheeler Crash in Houston

Published on: April 24, 2020 | by Carabin Shaw

Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Houston: Police report a driver was killed when he tried to pass an 18-wheeler that was reversing along a commercial street Wednesday in southeast Houston. The big rig was facing southbound in the northbound lane of Nunn Street near Lindbergh Street around 3 p.m. when its driver started driving in reverse, according to Houston police. At some point, the big rig driver started to drift into the southbound lane while still in reverse, according to police.

At the same time, a 34-year-old man driving a Cadillac DTS was southbound on Nunn and attempted to pass the truck on the right but clipped the back-right corner of the trailer, police said. Witnesses said the Cadillac driver appeared to be driving at a high speed when he struck the trailer.

The force of the crash ripped the roof off the Cadillac, which landed about 30 feet away from the car. Firefighters had to use special tools to pry the rest of the car open to pull the driver out.

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT: Two People Dead, Man Jumps off Overpass as Tractor-trailer Veers Into Vehicles On North Freeway in Houston

Published on: April 12, 2020 | by Carabin Shaw

April 12, 2020, Houston: Two people were killed after an Amazon tractor-trailer smashed into several vehicles that were stopped on a Houston North freeway early Friday April 10th due to previous collisions, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

An SUV towing a trailer driven by Anthony Alvarado, 22, with his wife, their children, ages 1 and 3, got a flat tire. While trying to exit the highway, a Mazda 3 sedan hit the trailer and ended up sideways in traffic. A third vehicle, a Silverado pickup truck driven by Tyler Vail, 29, came up to the crash and while trying to avoid the accident ended up colliding with a barrier on the freeway coming to a stop in the middle lane.

During this time the driver of the Mazda and the SUV’s passenger got out of their vehicles. It was also at this time that Abdullah Baidas, 23, who was driving a Chevrolet SUV, stopped to help and was out of his SUV and on the freeway. Then an Amazon tractor-trailer driven Cody Munson, 56, coming up on the scene swerved to avoid but ended up striking all of the vehicles involved and pinning both the driver of the Mazda and the passenger of the SUV and killing them instantly. Abdullah Baidas avoided being struck by the Amazon truck by jumping off of the overpass 10 to 15 feet where he suffered minor injuries authorities said. The 2 young children only suffered minor injuries due to being safely strapped into their car seats. The status of the Amazon driver, Mr. Munson; pickup driver, Mr. Vail; and SUV driver, Mr. Alvarado are unknown at this time.

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT: One Dead and One Seriously Injured in Parmer County Crash

Published on: April 8, 2020 | by Carabin Shaw

Wednesday, April 8, 2020: PARMER COUNTY, Texas — A Fort Worth resident was killed and another person was seriously injured Friday night April 3rd in a deadly pick-up and 18-wheeler crash in Parmer County located in far northwest Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Safety officials reported that the incident occurred on U.S. Highway 60 at FM 1381. The driver of the pick-up, Bessy Lainez, 33 and passenger, Vincente Oropeza-Diaz, 33 both of Ft. Worth were stopped on the north side of the highway at FM 1381. Authorities believe Ms. Lainez turned her truck onto the highway and then was hit by the 18-wheeler. She died at the scene. Mr. Oropeza-Diaz was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The semi driver was not hurt. Police said the crash is still under investigation.

What To Do After a Crash