Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers
A man was tragically killed Friday morning in a violent crash involving two large commercial trucks on Houston’s South Loop.
Fatal Crash Involved a Big Rig and a CenterPoint Energy Utility Truck
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2nd, in the westbound lanes of I-610 South near MLK Boulevard, according to the Houston Police Department.
Investigators say a CenterPoint Energy utility truck carrying two men attempted to merge unsafely into traffic, striking the front of an oncoming 18-wheeler.
The impact caused the 18-wheeler to lose control, dragging the CenterPoint Energy truck down the roadway and pinning it against a light pole. Both occupants of the utility truck were trapped inside the vehicle following the crash.
While the driver was not seriously injured, rescue crews worked for nearly two hours to free the passenger. He was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.
Hazmat Situation Forces Extended I-610 South Loop Westbound Lanes Closure
The crash triggered a hazardous materials response, prompting TxDOT to shut down all westbound lanes of I-610 South for hours while crews worked to secure the scene and complete cleanup efforts.
Drivers were urged to avoid the area as traffic backed up for miles. As of Friday afternoon, westbound lanes remained closed with significant delays.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Billions Won: Zehl Fights Hard for Houston Truck Accident Victims
Crashes involving utility trucks, fleet vehicles, and 18-wheelers are often far more complex than standard car accidents. These cases often involve billion-dollar corporations, layered insurance policies, internal investigations, and armies of lawyers who will stop at nothing to shift blame and pay as little as possible to the victims.
It’s difficult to know where to turn. But at Zehl & Associates, our Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers have a long track record of holding utility companies and large corporations fully accountable when their drivers put others at risk.
Most notably, we secured the #1 largest truck accident verdict in Texas last year — a $37.5 million jury verdict on behalf of an 18-wheeler driver who was killed while legally parked on the shoulder due to mechanical issues.
In that case, an Oncor Electric employee, distracted by his cell phone while driving to another job site, struck our client at more than 50 mph. Despite Oncor’s attempts to blame the victim throughout trial, we used traffic camera footage to prove the truth: more than 40 vehicles safely passed our client, and the only driver who failed to avoid him was the one who wasn’t watching the road for at least eight critical seconds before impact.
The jury agreed—and delivered a record-setting verdict.
Why Families Should Contact a Lawyer Immediately After a Fatal Truck Crash
Speaking with an experienced truck accident lawyer early can help protect your family from being taken advantage of during an incredibly vulnerable time. We can step in to:
- Preserve critical evidence before it disappears or is altered
- Handle all communication with CenterPoint Energy, insurers, and investigators
- Prevent unfair blame from being placed on your loved one
- Identify all responsible parties, including employers and third parties
- Ensure your family understands its rights before signing anything or giving statements
Our goal is to ensure you have the financial resources needed to care for yourself and your family for the rest of your lives.
You don’t have to make decisions right now — but you do deserve honest answers and protection.
Undefeated Houston, Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
With Billions and the #1 Largest Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Verdicts & Settlements in History, our Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers have consistently demonstrated that we don’t just win for truck and 18-wheeler accident victims – We Set Records.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a trucking accident, call our Truck Accident Attorneys at 1-888-603-3636, use the chat feature on our website, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
We’ll answer all your questions, explain your rights and options, and provide you with all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.