Russell Newman Killed in Work Accident in Desoto, TX 

Basic Facts

Accident date: 8-15-2025

Accident location: 505 N. Interstate 35, Desoto, TX

People involved:

• Russell Newman, 63 

Do Authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this accident?: Unknown

Did authorities recommend criminal charges?: Unknown

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the accident?: Unknown

Accident Report

August 15, 2025, Russell Newman was killed as the result of a work accident that took place along North I-35.  

Initial statements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration say the incident happened just north of East Belt Line Road.  

Exact details surrounding the accident are not clear at this time. OSHA reports say that 63-year-old Russell Newman was working at the time when a fall occurred. Russell Newman ultimately sustained fatal injuries.  

Authorities reported no other injuries. It’s unclear if citations or penalties are being recommended. The case status appears to be open.  

How Did This Accident Occur?

A fall on the job, if that is what happened here, may seem rather simple. They usually happen when there is a lack of safety equipment in use or due to equipment that is in poor condition. I’m sure any workers reading this can attest that they’ve been on job sites where workers either weren’t provided with the equipment they needed or were pressured to take unnecessary risks in the name of expediency. But as simple as that may sound, work accidents in Texas are rarely straightforward for the worker’s loved ones. Let me explain why.  

Simply put, Texas has the most challenging work fatality laws in the country. There isn’t always a guaranteed path for getting the family the benefits they need. Sometimes, it’s up to them to work with the employer for a fair resolution. In my more than 30 years of handling Texas fatal work accidents, I can’t recall a time where an employer went out of their way to prioritize the needs of a worker’s family above their own.  

So, it is crucial that this crash gets a thorough investigation to determine what went wrong here and how to prevent future accidents. At the same time, it’s important to ensure the victim’s loved ones know what paths are available to them going forward. The sooner they know what they need to do, the sooner they can get a fair resolution.