18-Wheeler Involved in Fatal Crash on FM 1669
Image of an 18-wheeler on the highway.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is still investigating a fatality crash that occurred on May 15th on FM 1669 just north of Huntington. Initial reports state that an 18 Wheeler carrying oil field equipment lost control of an unsecured load, causing the heavy equipment to strike a pickup truck being driven by Jeremy Johnson, 38, of Mineral Wells. Tragically, Mr. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by Angelina County Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes Grubbs.
Sadly, this is another example of a preventable crash taking a life on Texas roadways. Contrary to what many may think, most professional trucking companies and their drivers are true professionals who follow the rules, take their work seriously, and prioritize safety. Unfortunately, when trucking companies don’t follow the rules and don’t put safety first, the results can be catastrophic.
In trucking crash litigation, this is what attorneys refer to as a “systems failure crash” because the root cause of the crash occurred long before the actual crash. In this case, for example, multiple trucking industry safety rules must have been violated to allow the collision to occur. There are specific rules regarding how loads must be secured before being transported on the highway, including the type and strength of straps and/or chains, as well as the manner in which they are secured. The truck, trailer, and load must be rechecked before the car enters the highway. Depending on the type of load, the driver may be required to stop after the first 15 minutes of driving to recheck the load.
Trucking companies are required to train their drivers on these safety rules and put procedures in place to make sure the drivers understand and follow all safety “rules of the road”. According to initial reports, the oilfield equipment being transported was “unsecured”. When trucking companies ignore established safety rules, training, and procedures, the results can be devastating and tragic.