Van Zandt County, TX — October 24, 2025, Omar Gomez Santacruz and another person were injured in a hit-and-run accident at about 8 p.m. on Interstate 20.
A preliminary accident report indicates that a westbound 2009 Chevrolet Silverado after being sideswiped by an unknown semi-truck east of mile marker 530. The truck kept going after the collision.
Silverado driver Omar Gomez Santacruz, 42, and a 41-year-old man riding with him were seriously injured in the crash east of Canton, according to the report. Another passenger, a 25-year-old man, suffered minor injuries.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Van Zandt County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When someone hears about a hit-and-run involving an 18-wheeler on a major highway, the first question that usually comes to mind is: How does a professional driver just leave the scene of a serious crash? That’s not just a moral failing. It’s potentially a criminal act, and it instantly raises doubts about the driver’s fitness and the trucking company’s oversight.
According to initial reports, a pickup truck was sideswiped by a semi-truck on I-20 near Canton, and the truck kept going. Two people in the pickup were seriously hurt, while another suffered minor injuries. But beyond those basic facts, a lot remains unknown.
For starters, it’s not clear whether the truck driver even realized they hit the pickup. Depending on how the collision occurred — whether it was a brief glancing blow or a full-force impact — the driver may have had full awareness or none at all. But even that question is answerable with the right evidence. A properly installed in-cab camera or a blind spot detection system might tell us what the driver could see and whether they should have known they hit someone. Engine control module (ECM) data could confirm whether the truck suddenly swerved, slowed or accelerated at the time of the crash. And GPS logs might help identify which truck was in the area when it happened.
But before any of that evidence can be used, someone has to go get it. That’s one of the most important parts of a hit-and-run investigation involving a commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, police reports often don’t capture the full range of data available from trucking companies. It takes a more focused investigation to gather things like cell phone records, driver logs and hiring documentation.
That last point is especially important. If and when the truck and driver are identified, it will be crucial to ask whether the driver had a history of unsafe driving. I’ve handled cases where a trucking company put someone behind the wheel who had been fired multiple times for dangerous conduct. In those situations, the problem isn’t just the driver: it’s the system that put him on the road in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s unclear whether the truck driver knew they hit the pickup, but available technology could answer that question.
- ECM data, dash cam footage and GPS logs are critical to reconstructing the crash and identifying the truck involved.
- A full investigation should include the driver’s cell phone use and employment history to assess both driver and company responsibility.
- Tracking down the truck is the first step. Holding the right parties accountable is the next.
- Police reports may be limited; independent investigations often uncover what official channels miss.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us