A crash on FM 1788 left 20-year-old Ricky Scott Riojas of Seminole dead. According to Texas DPS, Riojas was riding a 2014 Harley–Davidson Street Glide southbound when an unknown northbound truck with a trailer allegedly failed to yield while turning left onto SE 8000. The motorcycle struck the trailer, and the truck continued driving without stopping. Riojas was taken to the hospital where he later died. The driver and vehicle have not been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.
Since the turning vehicle allegedly failed to yield and then left the scene, investigators will need to determine why that turn was made, whether it was safe for the conditions, and what prevented the driver from stopping afterward.
Could Driver Distraction Have Played a Role?
A left turn across oncoming traffic requires constant scanning of closing speed and available gaps. If the truck driver was looking at a phone, adjusting navigation, checking mirrors for the trailer, or otherwise not focused on the roadway, even a brief lapse could lead to a misjudged turn and a failure to yield. Investigators will want to know whether the driver’s attention was divided at the moment of decision and whether distraction also contributed to the decision to leave the scene rather than remain and render aid.
What Kinds of Evidence Should Be Examined?
To identify the vehicle and understand the turn, investigators should examine paint transfer, lens fragments, and trailer hardware left at the impact point to narrow the make and model. Nearby cameras may show the truck’s approach, the turn path, and its direction of travel after the crash. Witness statements can refine the description of the truck and document whether the turn was sudden or gradual. Once the suspect vehicle is found, electronic logging and telematics data can establish location, speed, and the timing of the turn, while phone and dispatch records can show whether the driver was on a call or interacting with a device.
Why a Complete Investigation Is Critical in This Accident
Fatal hit-and-run crashes are particularly serious. Establishing whether distraction led to an unsafe left turn and confirming how the truck left the scene are essential steps toward identifying the driver and understanding exactly how and why this fatal collision occurred.