Poinsett County, TX — November 19, 2024, 49-year-old William Burgess Jr. was killed in a truck accident on State Highway 14 in Poinsett County.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 11:35 a.m. on Highway 14 west of Waldenburg. Preliminary investigation suggests William Burgess Jr. was driving a Freightliner semi-truck west on the highway when he reportedly failed to negotiate a curve. The truck ran off the road, then overturned and spilled its cargo on the travel lanes.
Burgess was critically injured in the crash. He was airlifted to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Over the years I’ve seen plenty of single-vehicle accidents, including ones with 18-wheelers, that were caused by something out of the driver’s hands. Unfortunately, people often read that only one vehicle was involved and assume its operator must be to blame. Whether they point fingers at distraction, fatigue, or some other error, the gist is always that the only way a vehicle can crash by itself is if its operator lets it.
Blaming the driver right out of the gate is unfair, though, as it doesn’t account for all the ways a wreck could be out of someone’s hands. Poor road conditions, blown tires, defective parts, neglected maintenance, or any number of other things could have contributed, and every single one of those possible factors needs careful consideration and investigation before conclusions are reached.
At the end of the day someone was fatally injured while just doing his job, so it’s important to find out what went wrong, whether it was preventable, and if so why it happened anyway. The victim’s loved ones deserve a full investigation and whatever answers it uncovers. I hope authorities and the trucking company plan to give them both.
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