Virginia Hernandez Killed in Single-Vehicle Accident on FM 400 near Idalou, TX
Idalou, TX -- February 1, 2022, 66-year-old Virginia Hernandez was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Farm to Market Road 400 near Idalou.
Authorities say the incident happened shortly after 4:30 p.m. on FM 400 south of County Road 5700, north of town. Preliminary investigation suggests the vehicle was traveling north on the roadway when the driver lost control for unknown reasons. The vehicle traveled off the roadway and entered a ditch, then crashed into a concrete culvert.
Hernandez, a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers were transported to a Lubbock hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. The driver was evaluated at the scene.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Virginia Hernandez Accident on FM 400 near Idalou
Some folks tend to jump to conclusions after single-vehicle wrecks like this. Part of the reason for that, quite frankly, is that they are usually the result of driver error. Speeding, distracted driving, and impairment are all common reasons a driver loses control, and because they're common people tend to think they're always involved. That's not actually true. I can't say with certainty none of them were involved on FM 400, and I wouldn't suggest ignoring those possibilities when trying to connect the dots. However, they can't be taken for granted either--which can be a problem if police develop tunnel vision and focus too much on just those possibilities. A proper investigation will account for less-common factors as well.
Mechanical issues, tire failures, road hazards, defective road design, medical emergencies, other drivers that left the scene--these aren't all that common, but that doesn't mean investigators can dismiss them outright without looking into them. Even if something seems unlikely, allowing it to slip through the cracks simply isn't acceptable. The victim's loved ones certainly deserve as many answers as investigators can provide. If law enforcement won't take the necessary steps and evaluate all possible factors here--common or not--then the crash would likely be better off in the hands of professionals who will leave no stone unturned.
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