Hockley Man Killed in 18-wheeler Accident on Becker Road in Harris County, TX
Harris County, TX -- June 2, 2022, a Hockley man was killed due to an accident where an 18-wheeler and a motorcycle crashed on Becker.
According to initial reports, the crash took place just before 2:00 p.m. along Becker Road at Becker Fields Drive.
Authorities said that a 28-year-old Hockley man was on a motorcycle traveling northbound along Becker. Approaching a private driveway, an 18-wheeler slowed to make a right turn. The truck reportedly made an unsafe turn from the left lane, entering the path of the motorcyclist and causing a collision, police say.
Due to the collision, the Hockley man sustained fatal injuries. No one else appeared to be injured in the accident. Additional details are unavailable at this time.
Commentary on Hockley Man Truck Accident on Becker in Harris County
To be clar up front, there could be a lot more information here police aren't bringing up, and for all we know the truck driver had every reason to believe the path was clear. But to be blunt, thinking back across the hundreds of commercial vehicle wrecks I've handled, it's incredibly unlikely this sort of thin happens without the truck driver doing something absolutely reckless.
Put simply, the law holds truck drivers to a higher standard than the typical driver. Due to the size and risk associated with their vehicles, they need extra training and must exercise a higher degree of care for the safety of themselves and everyone around them.
That's why many of the responsible trucking companies out there would outright fire a truck driver for making a turn like this. They plan their routes to avoid such maneuvers, or they ensure the drivers have the means to do so safely. For example, they can have a co-worker with them whose job it is to get out with flags and reflectors and wave down traffic to make sure they stop before the truck makes the turn. There's absolutely no mention of any such precautions here.
Despite all of these concerning details, though, the simple fact the victim was on a motorcycle only makes thorough investigations that much more necessary. Put simply, people are quick to assume motorcyclists are reckless even when there's no evidence to say so. Trucking and insurance companies know this all too well, so they try to exploit this common bias in their favor. A defense team blaming the driver of a car for speeding and weaving through traffic may not find footing without clear evidence. Saying the same about a motorcyclist can take hold, however, evidence or not.
That's why evidence is one of the most important tools a family can have after a crash like this. As harmful as biases can be, and as obstinate as companies can be, nothing speaks louder than the facts. Independent investigators with commercial truck wreck experience can look into training records, driver history, maintenance logs, hours of service, road conditions, ECM data, witness statements, laser mapping, and countless other details, many of which are beyond most police departments. Their efforts are often crucial in bringing the truth to light and preventing blame-shifting from standing between a victim's loved ones and the resolution they deserve. As concerning as these initial reports are, I see no reason why this crash would be an exception to that.
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