Angelina County, TX — December 27, 2024, Deputy Lesley Wade was killed and two children were hurt after an 18-wheeler accident at 8:00 a.m. on U.S. 69.
Preliminary details about the accident say it happened several miles southeast of Huntington at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and F.M. 1818.
According to current statements, Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy Lesley Wade was in a vehicle going southbound along the highway. It was reportedly foggy at the time. Up ahead, authorities say a tractor-trailer was blocking “both” lanes of southbound U.S. 69 waiting on northbound traffic. While the trailer was in the road, Deputy Wade’s vehicle crashed into it.
Due to the collision, Lesley Wade was killed. Two children in the vehicle with Wade had reportedly non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported. At this time, authorities have yet to release additional details.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
One of my primary concerns following any serious accident that happens during inclement weather is that investigators may focus too much on the weather itself. I’ve had many cases come across my desk where a crash happened during foggy or rainy weather, and preliminary investigations put all of their focus on how the weather contributed to the crash. However, with more detailed accident reconstructions from experienced independent investigators, weather conditions rarely cause a serious truck accident. It’s more often the result of poor decisions made during those weather conditions.
Here’s why I say this. Generally speaking, a tractor-trailer blocking lanes of travel is almost always dangerous. Most reasonably prudent professionals make left turns across highways all the time without incident. That’s because they have the experience and care to wait until they’re reasonably certain they can make the turn without incident If the weather makes it too difficult to complete the maneuver safely, then adjustments should be made. Whether that’s taking extra steps to make a truck visible or waiting out the weather until visibility improves, for example, there are usually better options than just crossing a highway and hoping everyone is able to see and avoid the trailer blocking lanes of travel.
Maybe that isn’t what happened here, but the details I’m seeing right now raise serious questions. Why did this truck driver think it was okay to turn? Were there extenuating circumstances that made it seem safe, or was the driver simply being impatient? Was the driver rushing to meet unreasonable deadlines? Are they adequately trained to handle poor driving conditions? Do they have a history of making reckless decisions? Does the truck and the trailer have appropriate lighting and reflective gear?
It’s possible authorities are working to answer these questions, and the answers could show this all was just an unfortunate accident the truck driver couldn’t control. In my experience, though, independent investigations into these kinds of accidents tend to show that there wouldn’t have been a crash if a reasonably prudent professional truck driver was behind the wheel.
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