John Yoast Killed in Tire Blowout Accident on I-37 in Atascosa County, TX
Atascosa County, TX — May 14, 2022, 46-year-old John Yoast died in an accident after a tire blowout on Interstate 37 in Atascosa County.
According to reports the incident happened around 6:20 a.m. on I-37 near mile marker 96. Preliminary investigation suggests Yoast was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck north on the freeway when the truck's left front tire blew.
Investigators say the pickup traveled some distance further on the wheel's rim before the tire and rim assembly snapped off. The truck veered left and crashed into the median cable barrier, then caught fire.
Yoast suffered fatal injuries in the accident.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on John Yoast Accident on I-37 in Atascosa County
As they seek to better understand what happened here, investigators should determine exactly why the truck's tire gave way. Some may have automatically blamed debris in the road, but while that's common it's not the only explanation. What makes situations like this complex--and why police investigation alone may not be enough--is the possibility of a tire defect.
They may not be particularly common, but manufacturing defects have caused thousands of tires to fail during normal use. That could take different forms, but ultimately some part of the tire isn't properly designed or put together and it gives way when it shouldn't.
It's one thing if road debris punctures a tire, but it's another entirely if it fails due to poor design or fabrication. Under those circumstances the tire's manufacturer may be liable for any crash caused by their faulty product.
Distinguishing a defect from a typical tire blowout can be pretty complex and requires particular tools and forensic training. Police departments rarely prioritize tire reconstruction too highly, though, and don't invest many of their resources in training officers to make heads or tails of why a tire gave way. In most cases where a defect might be involved, I suggest involving independent investigators with the right equipment and know-how.
If a defective tire was at the root of this crash, its manufacturer may have a duty to help those affected by it. That concern has implications beyond this specific accident, since the manufacturer must recall other tires from that production run or else risk thousands of other vehicles crashing in the same way. Will the right steps be taken here to ensure the truth is learned?
