Travis Cason Lynch Killed in 18-wheeler Accident in Caldwell County, TX
Caldwell County, TX -- July 23, 2022, Travis Cason Lynch was killed as the result of an accident where his vehicle hit a tractor-trailer.
Investigators reported that the crash took place at around 11:11 p.m. along FM 1322 at Soda Springs Road.
In reports, officials said that 37-year-old Travis Cason Lynch was in a Volkswagen Beetle traveling southbound on FM 1322. At Soda Springs, it appears an 18-wheeler was blocking both directions after making a sharp turn and falling into the ditch. Lynch's vehicle did not slow down in time, crashing into the trailer.
As a result of the collision, Lynch sustained fatal injuries. No other injuries were reported. According to the investigating officer, the cause of the crash was failure to control speed, saying there was a DPS vehicle with flashing lights on the southbound side of the disabled 18-wheeler. Right now, additional details are unavailable.
Commentary on Travis Cason Lynch 18-wheeler Accident in Caldwell County
To be blunt here, I'm not so sure authorities got this one right. Let's break down the details in these initial reports. A truck driver blocked both directions on a dark highway because they botched a turn, and reports only mention any kind of warning signals on the southbound side of the disabled truck--the opposite side from where the victim was traveling. In my experience, most crashes like this are going to be the result of a truck driver's negligence, not someone's inability to avoid the obstruction. Maybe there's more to this crash than what reports let on.
Is it possible this truck was lit up like a Christmas tree and easily avoidable? Sure, and evidence could corroborate that. However, evidence could also show the investigating officer is mistaken, and any reasonable driver could have been involved in a similar crash.
It makes me think of a crash I handled a while back where the victim was being blamed for failing to slow down for a truck turning across the highway in front of them. When we looked into things though, we found that the truck had no runner lights, and its reflective tape was so dirty that it might as well have been invisible. All the victim could see was a pair of headlights ahead of them in the opposite lane where it was supposed to be.
It was clear from our reconstructions that any average driver wouldn't have been able to see the dark trailer until it was too late. Could it be that reconstructions would show something similar led to this tragedy? I know I'd want to know I was getting all the facts if authorities were blaming my loved one for a crash, regardless of whether or not new information came to light.
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