Many Texas residents have experienced a flat tire sometime during their driving history. Typically, people in such a position are able to safely pull over to the side of the road and change the tire. However, car accidents can occur in such situations, either when the affected vehicle slows down to exit the road, or even when the car’s occupants stand outside the vehicle once it has stopped. Unfortunately, what began as a fairly common and easily rectified problem can sometimes end in tragedy.
Recently, two people were killed and several others were injured in a multi-vehicle pileup on an interstate in Houston. According to authorities, the incident began very early on a Friday morning when a man driving an SUV that was pulling a trailer realized he had a flat tire and tried to pull over. While he was doing so, another vehicle crashed into the trailer and stopped in a sideways position on Interstate 45 North Freeway. Then, the driver of a pickup truck approached the accident site, lost control of his vehicle, crashed into a wall and ended up in the middle of the road as well. Police have said that at some point, two people involved in the crash got out of their vehicles.
Another driver came upon the accident and stopped to help. Then, a man driving an Amazon 18-wheeler swerved to try to avoid the crash site. Unfortunately, he hit all the vehicles as well as the two people who had exited their vehicles, pinning them beneath his truck and killing both. Reportedly, as he saw the truck approaching, the man who had stopped to offer help jumped off the freeway and suffered some injuries. Authorities have also said two young children who were properly restrained in the first SUV were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Police have said road conditions were slick at the time of the accident, and they do not believe impairment was an issue for any of the drivers. However, car accidents like this one are sometimes a result of negligent and/or reckless behavior on the part of a driver, and perhaps the investigation will reveal evidence of such behavior. In that case, the deceased victims’ families may wish to consult with a Texas attorney experienced in personal injury law.
