Monte Alto, Texas – Melissa De Leon was killed in a two-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer on Farm to Market 2812 just west of Monte Alto.
According to authorities, Ms. De Leon was traveling eastbound on FM 2812 in a 2020 Nissan Rouge when a 1999 Freightliner semi-truck backed into a private driveway blocking the lane of traffic. Ms. De Leon failed to stop for the backing semi-truck and crashed into the vehicle, partially underriding the trailer.
Authorities reported that the driver of the Rogue died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the semi-truck was reportedly uninjured.
No further information was immediately available.
The accident will require further investigation to ensure the surviving family receives the answers they deserve
This is a terrible crash that happens with alarming frequency across Texas. Truckers cannot simply block both lanes of a major street for personal convenience or business endeavors. If truckers cannot safely enter a parking lot or driveway, the truck should not be entering the location. It is really that simple. It is sickening how many motorists die in this very type of collision, and action must be taken to ensure these accidents are avoided.
Some folks may not agree with this and think motorists in this situation are responsible for preventive measures to avoid collisions. While there is no doubt all motorists have a duty to remain alert and attentive to avoid collisions, this argument fails to recognize that preventative measures are only necessary because someone else’s choices create a dangerous situation. One cannot place others in grave danger and then turn the blame on them for failing to act reasonably. That is not fair.
This accident will need to be investigated to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible. One thing that sticks out from the limited photos is where the vehicle hit the trailer suggests the truck had just recently begun backing, indicating the trucker failed to account for oncoming traffic accurately. Additionally, the driver of the Rogue may have attempted to stop based on the vehicle’s position. A vehicle does not need to travel very fast to drive completely under a semi’s trailer, shaving the top of the roof clean off.
It is worth noting that the 2020 Rogue is a new vehicle, and it should have been, or could have been, equipped with crash avoidance technology to prevent this kind of accident from happening. If that technology failed to work properly, Nissan, or the manufacturer of the crash avoidance technology, may need to provide further information on why the product did not protect a motorist as designed. If the product proves defective, the family may have a claim against the manufacturer.
While it is likely no one meant for this crash to happen, it did happen, and a woman lost her life. This outcome cannot be ignored, and those that may have caused or contributed to the crash will need to account for their actions. A detailed investigation will provide further insight as to how the accident occurred and provide the grieving family with answers as to the best path forward.
I extend my deepest condolences to Ms. De Leon’s surviving family and pray for their peace during this difficult time of grief.
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The Ammons Law Firm is a nationwide personal injury firm focused 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.
