Guadalupe County, Texas — Larry Cruz, a 40-year-old man from Fullerton, Cali., tragically lost he life on Sept. 9 in Seguin, after an 18-wheeler he was traveling in had a tire blowout on Interstate 10 near Farm-to-Market Road 725.
The tractor-trailer was eastbound at about 7 a.m. when one of its tires failed and caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck traveled off a bridge and slid down a slope on Farm-to-Market Road 725 where it burst into flames.
The driver was able to exit the cab and was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition, according to a local news article. Cruz, riding as a passenger, sadly found deceased in the cab.
The driver has not been identified by police.
On Sept. 20, a spokeswoman for the Seguin Police Department said the driver was in stable condition and the crash investigation was ongoing.
COMMENTARY ON TIRE DEFECT ACCIDENTS BY ROB AMMONS
Many do not understand how difficult it is to control an 18-wheeler traveling at highway speeds after experiencing a tire failure. The sheer weight of the truck renders even the most experienced drivers helpless. The video included in this article, for instance, shows what happened when the tire failed on an 18-wheeler one of my clients was driving.
Unfortunately, I have seen an increasing number of tire failure accidents come across my desk and a greater percentage of them appear to involve semi-trucks than those in years past.
It is vital that all remaining pieces of the tire are gathered so a thorough analysis can be conducted to determine whether this accident was caused by a manufacture flaw or defect. I believe there is at least one manufacturer of semi-truck tires that has a significant and recurring problem that I believe warrants a major recall.
Having handled countless tire-failure cases throughout my career, I’ve had an up-close look at the devastating impact accidents like this one can have on the family of the victim. In this case, it appears the driver of the semi-truck survived while the passenger passed away from their injuries. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families involved and to the driver of the semi-truck.
MEET ROB AMMONS
For over three decades Rob Ammons has concentrated his practice on tire and automotive defect claims, representing clients against tire manufacturers, automakers, tire retailers, and tire service centers. Mr. Ammons’ success against Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper Tire, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone/Firestone, Continental/General Tire, Kumho Tire, and Yokohama has led to the recall of millions of tires across the country. If you or your loved one have been injured from a defective tire, reach out to Rob Ammons now for a no-cost consultation.
Disclaimer: At Ammons Law, we are constantly seeking to improve the quality and safety of our roads and highways. We post these articles to help improve safety within our community. All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. The video contained in this vehicle is not a depiction of the actual accident. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
