Nacogdoches County, TX — January 27, 2025, Michael Bustillos and Nicole Summers were killed in a truck accident at about 10:15 a.m. on State Highway 21.
Authorities said a 2016 Subaru was heading east on the highway east of Douglass when it collided head-on with a 2022 Peterbilt semi-truck.
Michael Bustillos, 39, and Nicole Summers, 38, were killed in the crash, according to authorities. It is not clear which one was driving the car.
The truck driver was not injured.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I hear about a head-on collision between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck, my first question is, “How did these two vehicles end up in the same lane?” Many people might assume that one driver simply drifted over the centerline, but in my experience, crashes like this often involve more than just driver error.
One of the key things investigators should determine is whether this was the result of a passing attempt, a loss of control or something else entirely. Head-on collisions can happen for a variety of reasons, including evasive maneuvers, mechanical failures or even medical emergencies. Without a full investigation, it’s impossible to say with certainty what led to this crash.
Another critical factor is the condition of the roadway. Was there a clear dividing line between lanes, or was this a stretch of highway where vehicles frequently cross over to pass? Some two-lane highways allow passing but don’t provide much room for error. If that’s the case here, investigators should determine whether road design contributed to the crash.
Weather and visibility also play a role. Did sun glare, rain or fog limit either driver’s ability to see? I’ve seen cases where environmental conditions led to momentary confusion about lane positioning, which then resulted in a deadly head-on collision. If there were any sight obstructions, that should be part of the investigation.
It’s also worth looking into the semi-truck’s movements before the crash. Was the truck traveling at a controlled speed, or did it take any sudden actions that could have influenced the collision? While most people assume that passenger vehicle drivers are at fault in head-on crashes, I’ve handled cases where truck drivers made unexpected moves — like swerving to avoid an obstacle or reacting late to traffic conditions — that contributed to the crash.
At this point, too little is known to draw firm conclusions. That’s why a thorough investigation is necessary. Simply assuming that one vehicle was in the wrong lane without considering all possible contributing factors risks missing key details that could change the understanding of what happened. The families of the victims deserve to know what happened in this instance.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us