A young woman from Decatur, Texas, was tragically killed last Thursday afternoon when the vehicle in which she was traveling was rear-ended by a speeding 18-wheeler in Odessa.
18-Wheeler Failed to Control Speed in I-20 Construction Zone
The March 19th accident occurred just before 4:00 p.m., as the 18-wheeler approached a construction zone along Interstate 20 West between Grant and Grandview.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the rig failed to control its speed and slammed into the rear of a white Jaguar that was also heading west. The impact of the crash then caused the Jaguar to collide with a Dodge Truck that had stopped for the congestion.
Jaguar Driver Suffered Life-Threatening Injuries in Odessa 18-Wheeler Crash
Sadly, the 39-year-old Decatur woman died at the crash scene.
Paramedics rushed the driver of the Jaguar to a local hospital, where they were reportedly receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries. Authorities have not identified the injured driver or released any other information on their condition.
Last Thursday’s fatal 18-wheeler accident remains under investigation. It’s not clear if any charges will be filed in connection with the crash.
Speeding 18-Wheelers are Especially Dangerous
At least 4,567 fatal trucking accidents occurred on the nation’s roads and highways in 2017, the last year for which statistics are available. Those crashes represented 9% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents reported that year.
The occupants of passenger vehicles are far more likely to die in an 18-wheeler crash. In fact, while big truck accidents have killed 208,809 people since 1974, the vast majority of fatalities — 146,123 — were the occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles.
Because of their enormous size relative to passenger vehicles and inability to stop quickly, 18-whelers are especially dangerous when traveling at high rates of speed. A speeding truck is also more likely to experience dangerous cargo shifts or have difficulty maneuvering on sharp turns.
Contact Our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers at 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consultation
Our Undefeated Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers are investigating last week’s fatal 18-wheeler crash on I-20 and will post an update if new information becomes available.
In addition to being undefeated, we’ve won over a billion dollars – including the Largest Truck Accident Settlement in Texas for 2019 – for thousands of accident victims in Texas, Louisiana, and across the United States.
If you have legal questions about the tragic Odessa crash or any other 18-wheeler accident, call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.
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