HARTLEY COUNTY, Texas – A six-vehicle crash involving several big rigs resulted in the deaths of three individuals on November 4, 2022. The collision occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 54, about six miles southwest of Dalhart, Texas.
Reportedly, a 2023 Freightliner semi-truck was traveling on U.S. Hwy 54 southbound when it did not slow or stop in a construction zone, crashing into the back of a 2020 International semi-truck. The second semi rear-ended a Ford pickup, causing the pickup to rear-end a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck, which then struck a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The impact forced the Jeep into the back of a 2023 Mack semi-truck.
The 57-year-old driver of the Freightliner semi-truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver of the Ford pickup and his female passenger also died at the scene. Four other victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment of moderate injuries. The drivers of the 2023 Mack semi-truck and 2019 Peterbilt trucks were uninjured.
An active investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. No other information is publicly available.
The truck driver and company must be held accountable for this horrible accident
This horrific accident left three innocent victims dead and their families grieving. The deceased victims of the Ford demonstrated no fault in this crash. They were simply waiting in traffic, expecting their fellow motorists to do the same. Unfortunately, a commercial truck operator, an operator we expect to demonstrate the greatest care on the road, failed to follow the most basic traffic rules and smashed into stopped cars.
The driver and his employer must be held responsible for the lives lost. Indeed, commercial trucking companies must ensure their drivers are adequately trained and capable of driving safely. Thus, a trucking company can be held liable for injuries caused by their drivers' negligence during the regular course of duty.
Since this accident can be traced back to one driver and, potentially, a trucking company, the victims' families will have a right to bring a wrongful death claim against the wrongdoers and recover legal damages for the harm they will suffer. No family should bear the burden of life lost. Experienced personal injury attorneys can help families navigate the complexities of bringing a claim against one or more responsible parties.
Most importantly, the trucking company and driver must be held responsible for ensuring such actions are not repeated. Damages awarded to victims' family members can send a strong message to commercial trucking companies, hopefully resulting in a heightened prioritization of safety for truck drivers and their employers. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible incident.
The Ammons Law Firm focuses on catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Contact the Ammons Law Firm today for a free accident review.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.
