EMERY COUNTY, Texas—Anthony Dwaine Bolin, 23, and another unidentified individual were killed in a crash involving one pickup and two semi-trucks on August 22, 2022. The accident occurred around 3:45 a.m. on Interstate 35 between exits 324 and 325 outside of Lorena, Texas.
According to police reports, Bolin’s pickup truck was stopped on the roadway after striking one of the semi-trucks. After Bolin had gotten out of the vehicle, another semi-truck collided with Bolin and his pickup. Bolin’s truck immediately caught fire after being struck by the second semi. Bolin died outside the pickup truck, and the other passenger was pronounced deceased, although the passenger remained in the pickup.
Two individuals in one of the semi-trucks were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the other big rig was uninjured in the accident. All traffic northbound on I-35 was diverted on frontage roads for several hours.
No further details about the crash were immediately available. The crash remains under investigation.
Thoughts on the fatal truck accident that left two dead
Initial reports suggest that this accident was preventable. Bolin was outside the pickup, stopped on the roadway alongside another semi-truck, likely assessing damage from the previous collision or, worse, injured and awaiting help. Even though it was 3:45 in the morning, the driver of the second semi-truck would have likely had time to see and avoid the crash. Instead, the semi-truck driver plowed into the crash site, killing Bolin and one other. All drivers must avoid crashing into others. Failure to do so, as was demonstrated by the second semi-truck, constitutes negligence.
Commercial trucking companies can be held responsible for their drivers’ negligence in some instances. For example, if the driver of the second semi-truck was unaware of the potential dangers of driving in the early morning or if the driver had a history of fatigue that a company had noted, then a trucking company would likely share in or assume liability for the two deaths in this circumstance. Further details about the second semi-truck driver, his training, and his driving record with past trucking companies will need to be investigated.
Our firm aims to assist those impacted by 18-wheeler accidents, including families of the deceased, pursue justice in court and recover the damages they deserve. Funeral expenses can unduly burden these families, especially when a loss is unexpected. Families may also recover against negligent truck drivers and, as noted above, their parent companies for other claims related to the untimely death of a loved one.
What we are left with is a tragic incident resulting in the death of two innocent people. Our firm can help the decedent’s families in this situation by providing legal assistance to ensure each family obtains the recovery needed to heal after this tragic accident.
