Jeremiah Harris Killed, Five Injured in Walker County, TX Truck Accident
Walker County, TX — July 2, 2022, Jeremiah Harris and two others died while Candice Jackson and two others were injured in a car accident on I-45 in Walker County.
According to reports the incident happened around 8:00 p.m. on southbound I-45 near FM 1375. Preliminary investigation suggests the victims were all in a Chevrolet Impala headed south on I-45 in the outside lane near mile marker 103. The car reportedly experienced air loss in a rear tire and the driver stopped, but allegedly did not activate the car's hazard lights.
A Ford F-350 pickup truck was towing a trailer south behind the Impala and reportedly failed to reduce speed when it approached the stopped car. The pickup rear-ended the Chevy in the roadway.
Chevy passenger Jeremiah Harris and two other adults aged 25 and 27 reportedly died in the accident. Driver Candice Walker and 2 children in the car were airlifted to area hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. The truck driver was reportedly unhurt.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Auto Accident on I-45 in Walker County
Preliminary reports about this crash suggest there's a pretty tangled mess of considerations for police to unravel when figuring out precisely what happened, but also if anyone specific should be held accountable.
First, reports say the car's tire may have lost air. Did it blow out fully or just lose air through a puncture? Was it sudden or gradual? Was it possible to pull onto the shoulder or did the car have to make an emergency stop? Was the tire overdue for replacement? Depending on exactly why it gave way its manufacturer may be liable for a defective product; people would be surprised to learn how many tire-related accidents are due to the tires being designed or put together poorly.
Second, there's the matter of the pickup driver allegedly failing to reduce speed when approaching the disabled car. If that's true, why? Was the driver awake, alert, and paying attention to the road? Some reports said the car was at the top of an incline in the road; did that cause trouble with visibility? How steep was the incline? What were light conditions like at that hour? Were the pickup's headlights on?
None of those questions and the many others like them that still need answers are meant to complicate things or point fingers. The goal as always is just to reach a full understanding of what happened--both to ensure everyone has the whole story and the facts to support it, but also to begin sorting through the complicated question of who (if anyone) is responsible for the damage done. It seems like the answer to that may be rather complicated here, but that's exactly why careful investigation and learning the facts are so important. Will law enforcement direct the time and effort needed toward this terrible incident to be sure it's properly resolved?
