Liberty County, TX — December 6, 2024, Shandrof Burks Sr., Peggy Burks, Berthena Burks, and two others were injured in a truck accident at about 10:15 a.m. on S.H. 321.
According to authorities, the accident took place on State Highway 321 in the vicinity between the Holley Avenue and Franklin Avenue intersections.
Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, an eastbound Freightliner 18-wheeler with a trailer in tow failed to appropriately control its speed. This resulted in a collision between the Freightliner, an eastbound Ford F-150 pickup truck occupied by a 42-year-old man, an eastbound Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck—occupied by 70-year-old Shandrof Burks Sr., 69-year-old Peggy Burks, 35-year-old Berthena Burks, and an 8-year-old boy—and an eastbound Kenworth 18-wheeler towing a trailer.
The man from the Ford pickup and all three adults from the Dodge pickup reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. The boy who had been in the Dodge also suffered more minor injuries, according to reports. It does not appear that anyone from either 18-wheeler was hurt. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When an 18-wheeler fails to control its speed and sets off a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, wrecks like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.
Why didn’t the truck slow down in time? Professional drivers are trained to anticipate slowdowns and maintain safe following distances, so investigators need to determine what went wrong. Was the driver distracted? Fatigued? Following too closely? Investigators should review dashcam footage, cell phone records, and hours-of-service logs to identify potential causes.
Was speed a factor? Large trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and excessive speed can make it impossible to stop in time. If the Freightliner was traveling too fast for traffic conditions or following too closely behind the vehicles ahead, that could have been a major factor in the crash. Investigators should examine black box data, braking distances, and traffic patterns to determine whether speed played a role.
Was the truck in proper working condition? Mechanical failures, such as worn brakes or air system issues, could have prevented the driver from stopping in time. Trucking companies are required to perform regular maintenance to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. Investigators should review inspection records, maintenance logs, and black box data to determine if poor vehicle upkeep contributed to the crash.
Did the trucking company play a role? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers follow proper safety procedures. If this driver was inexperienced, improperly trained, or under pressure to meet tight deadlines, that’s something investigators need to uncover. Reviewing company policies, safety records, and past violations could provide insight into whether broader issues contributed to the crash.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity they deserve.
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