James Russell Johnson, 1 Injured in Truck Accident in Tyler, TX
Tyler, TX -- June 2, 2022, James Russell Johnson and another person were injured due to an accident where a car and a truck crashed.
Investigators reported that the crash took place at around 3:10 p.m. along FM 1746 near County Road 4005.
Authorities said that 79-year-old James Russell Johnson was in a Kia Sorento traveling eastbound along FM 1746. From the oncoming lane, a truck crossed the center line and crashed into Johnson's vehicle.
Officials say that Johnson had non-incapacitating injuries. The truck driver sustained incapacitating injuries after the truck ran off-road and crashed into trees.
Right now, authorities say they believe the truck driver had a stroke. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on James Russell Johnson Truck Accident in Tyler
If these claims prove to be true, with something as sudden as a stroke, it's entirely possible this all was just unavoidable and a simple case of wrong-place-wrong-time. But it's always important to be thorough regardless to make sure all the facts are clear.
I'm reminded of a case a while back where we looked into a truck driver that crashed following a medical emergency. Something authorities overlooked was the driver's long history of medical conditions which should have all but disqualified him from driving a commercial truck. After all, if someone's medical conditions can predictably prevent them from safely doing their jobs, it'd be dangerous both for them and the general public to do it anyway. That driver's employer obviously didn't bother looking into his history or let him driver regardless of the risks.
I'm not saying anything like that happened here. That situation was rather unique. I'm simply saying that people read about what they think is a black-and-white situation when the evidence may not be so simple. Making sure there are thorough investigations could be crucial for ensuring folks get the help they deserve here.
[jump]
