Andres Vasquez Killed in Truck Accident in Jack County, TX
Jack County, TX -- June 17, 2022, Andres Vasquez was killed due to an accident where an 18-wheeler crashed into his truck.
According to initial reports, investigators said that the incident happened at around 6:45 a.m. along US Highway 380 near mile marker 530.
Officials said that 36-year-old Andres Vasquez was in a Ford F-250 along the side of the highway fueling up in the roadside ditch. After doing so, investigators say the pickup drove onto highway lanes where an eastbound 18-wheeler crashed into Vasquez's vehicle.
Due to the collision, Vasquez sustained fatal injuries. Reports did not specify any additional injuries. Authorities mentioned in reports that there were alcohol containers in Vasquez's vehicle. It's unclear if alcohol was a factor in the crash. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Andres Vasquez 18-wheeler Accident in Jack County
To be clear up front, authorities bringing up alcohol containers doesn't automatically mean this all happened due to drunk driving. I know folks are quick to jump to conclusions in these situations, but it's important to let the evidence speak for itself.
Is alcohol a possibility? Absolutely, and it warrants consideration. That's especially true if a local business illegally over-served the driver, since that business could be liable for contributing to the accident under dram shop law. With that said, 6:45 a.m. is not the most common time for a drunk driving wreck, which is why it's crucial a crash like this is in the hands of professionals that understand the importance of looking into even the least likely of possible factors.
Were there mechanical issues involved here? Was there something wrong with the roadway itself that unnecessarily impeded visibility? Did airbags and seatbelts work properly? Was the victim in a poorly maintained work vehicle or forced to work in hazardous conditions that somehow contributed to the wreck? Was the 18-wheeler going at safe speeds? Did it have its lights on? Were there any other vehicles involved that may have left the scene?
Like I said, whether or not these factors are likely isn't the point. These are simply things that a prudent investigators looks into because, likely or not, these things have contributed to deadly wrecks in the past. Making sure a family knows they're getting the full story should be an absolute priority. Are those steps being taken here?
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