Jesus Castillo Killed in an Accident with a Stopped Semi-truck on Interstate 35 in Waco, Texas

Waco, TX — A man was killed after the vehicle he was traveling in hydroplaned and collided with a truck tractor that was stopped on the improved shoulder. The incident happened Tuesday morning on Interstate 35, south of Salado.

Preliminary reports identified the driver of the SUV as 64-year-old Jesus Castillo. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No further details are currently available.

Semi-trucks should not use a highway shoulder as a parking space

Many will look at this crash and think it was bad luck due to rain or maybe blame the driver for crashing into the truck. This is not fair when you think about why the truck was parked on the side of a major freeway in the first place.

Truck drivers should be aware that even a minor mistake by a passing driver could result in serious harm or death. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued guidelines advising against parking on the shoulder due to the dangers this action poses. Even the trucking industry knows this situation is a recognized danger, as fatalities frequently occur when trucks park near moving traffic lanes. Truck drivers who park in hazardous spots should not evade accountability by blaming the deceased driver.

Regrettably, such avoidable accidents occur far too frequently. Recently, I managed a case where a young husband and father crashed into the back of a semi-truck parked near a lane of moving traffic. The truck driver argued that he had to stop due to a flat tire and blamed the young man for running into the truck. However, our investigation found that the tire had been underinflated for an extended period. The trucking company had repeatedly opted to temporarily inflate the tire instead of replacing it, compromising safety. At first glance, the blown tire seemed like a justified need to stop, but it actually arose from a conscious decision to prioritize profits over safety. This choice led to a man’s death and left a child fatherless.

Truck drivers who park a truck next to a moving lane of traffic at the risk of everyone else should not be allowed to shift all blame onto the deceased driver. A thorough investigation is needed to uncover the exact circumstances of this crash and why the truck was stopped in a dangerous location. If any negligence or misconduct is found, the surviving family deserves answers and justice.

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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

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.