Oldham County, TX — April 12, 2024, three people were killed and three others were injured in a multi-vehicle truck accident just after 1:15 p.m. along I.H. 40.
According to authorities, a 69-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man were traveling in a westbound Audi on I.H. 40 in the vicinity east of the Texas 290 intersection when the accident took place.
The Audi was reportedly attempting to pass a Freightliner 18-wheeler using the left of the two westbound lanes. At that point, officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Freightliner failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered to the left, colliding with the right side of the Audi in the process. The Freightliner continued its trajectory toward the left, pushing the Audi along with it; both of the vehicles crossed over the center median and entered the eastbound lanes of the highway. There, an eastbound Volvo 18-wheeler attempted to avoid a collision with the two wrong-way vehicles, but was ultimately unable to do so. A collision followed between the Audi and the left side of the Volvo’s trailer. The Freightliner also apparently crashed into the left-rear side of the same trailer. The Freightliner then continued westward in the eastbound lanes of the highway, resulting in a head-on collision with a second Freightliner. Over the course of the accident, one of the vehicles lost a tire which collided with a westbound Ford F-650 truck. Both Freightliners and their trailers, the Audi, and the trailer of the Volvo caught fire as a result of the wreck.
At some point during the course of the accident, the 38-year-old man who had been the sole occupant of the first Freightliner was ejected from the vehicle. Both he and the 61-year-old man who had been in the second Freightliner suffered fatal injuries as a result of the wreck and were declared deceased at the scene.
The man and woman who had been in the Audi each sustained severe injuries, as well, while two women ages 22 and 50 who had been in the Ford were moderately hurt. They were each transported to local medical facilities by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. However, the 66-year-old man who had been a passenger in the Audi was unable to overcome the extent of his injuries, having later been declared deceased. No other injuries have been reported.
Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of those involved—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing, as may be the case for some time, considering the complexity of the crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When we hear about a crash involving a large truck, it’s important to remember that the initial reports only tell part of the story. These incidents often start with a simple action, such as a truck veering from its lane, but the reasons behind these actions are where the investigative focus should lie.
For those affected by this crash, the question isn’t just whether the truck moved out of its lane; it’s about examining why that happened. There are a series of questions that investigators need to ask which require them to go beyond the crash scene to answer: Was the driver adequately trained and attentive? Were there mechanical failures? What measures does the trucking company have in place to ensure drivers follow the best safety practices though every moment they’re behind the wheel? These details are crucial and often not fully covered in initial police reports.
In cases like this, relying solely on a preliminary investigation can be insufficient. This crash resulted in significant harm, and understanding the full context requires more than what’s noted at the scene. An independent investigation can delve into these aspects—examining driver logs, maintenance records, and even data from onboard systems like GPS or event data recorders.
Taking a closer look at factors beyond the crash scene isn’t about casting blame without cause; it’s about making sure that any event that contributed to this crash doesn’t get overlooked. I’m of the belief that an investigation isn’t finished until those affected have all the answers.
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