A fatal crash occurred Tuesday evening on State Highway 6 near Loop 340 outside of Waco, Texas, after a pickup truck struck the rear of a parked 18-wheeler on the shoulder of the roadway.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the collision happened around 5:00 p.m. when a southbound Dodge Ram allegedly veered onto the shoulder and collided with the back of a tank trailer attached to the parked semi-truck. The driver of the pickup, 42-year-old Carlton Lee of Bryan, Texas, was transported to Baylor Scott and White in Waco, where he was later pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
When I hear about a crash where a passenger vehicle collides with a semi-truck parked on the shoulder, I think about how important it is to determine whether the truck was stopped legally and safely. In my experience, parked 18-wheelers can create dangerous conditions if they are not positioned properly or if they are stopped in areas where parking is prohibited. Whether the truck should have been there in the first place is often one of the first questions that needs to be answered.
Was the Semi-Truck Parked Legally and Safely?
One of the key factors in crashes like this is whether the 18-wheeler was parked in compliance with the law. While shoulders are sometimes used for emergency stops, commercial drivers are required to follow strict rules about when and where they can legally park, especially on high-speed highways.
Investigators should confirm whether the truck was stopped due to a legitimate mechanical issue or emergency, whether hazard lights were activated, and whether safety triangles or flares were placed as required under federal regulations. If the truck was parked without proper safety precautions or in a prohibited area, that could significantly impact the analysis of what caused the crash.
Could a Mechanical Failure or Defective Component in the Pickup Have Contributed?
Another important factor investigators should consider is whether a mechanical issue or defective part in the pickup truck may have caused or contributed to the vehicle leaving the travel lane. In my experience, sudden equipment failures—such as steering problems, brake malfunctions, or tire blowouts—can lead to loss of control with little or no warning to the driver.
To determine whether a defect may have played a role, investigators should examine the pickup’s maintenance history and inspect critical systems like the steering assembly, brakes, tires, and suspension components. If the pickup experienced a sudden failure of any of these parts, it could explain why the driver was unable to maintain control before crashing into the parked semi-truck.
Evidence That Can Help Clarify the Crash
To fully understand what led to this fatal crash, investigators should review the Engine Control Module (ECM) data from the semi-truck, which may provide information about whether the vehicle was running, how long it had been parked, and whether hazard systems were engaged.
Scene evidence, including the truck’s exact position on the shoulder, debris patterns, skid marks, and the location of any safety equipment like reflective triangles, will be crucial in assessing whether the truck was parked properly.
If dash cam footage or surveillance video from the area is available, it could provide additional insight into how the collision occurred.
Why Getting the Full Picture Requires Investigation
In my experience, crashes involving parked semi-trucks are rarely as straightforward as they might appear at first glance. Whether the truck was stopped legally and whether the other driver had an opportunity to avoid the collision are both critical questions. A thorough investigation is the only way to understand what really happened and why.