Timothy Eckermann Killed in Collision with 18-Wheeler on I-35 in San Antonio, TX
UPDATE (November 22, 2022): Sources have identified the victim of this accident as 43-year-old Timothy Eckermann.
San Antonio, TX — November 18, 2022, one person died in a collision with the back of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 35 in Southwest San Antonio.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:45 p.m. along the 8700 block of southbound I-35. Preliminary investigation suggests a tow truck was reversing toward a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the highway when a southbound Freightliner 18-wheeler merged left to avoid them both. The truck driver told investigators his collision sensors went off so he braked, at which point the victim's Ford Focus crashed into the back of the truck's trailer.
The Ford driver was fatally injured in the collision. No other injuries were reported.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on San Antonio Truck Accident on I-35
Many people are under the mistaken impression that every rear-end collision is automatically the fault of the rearmost driver. However, that's rarely if ever how the law really works. Further careful investigation might confirm the victim made a mistake like speeding or following too closely, but as always there are other possible explanations to consider before any conclusions are drawn. What if the car lost traction or blew a tire? Did it have any mechanical malfunctions or defects that kept the driver from stopping? What were weather and visibility like at the time? Did the truck driver brake suddenly when his collision sensors activated, with no warning for anyone behind him? Did he brake next to the tow truck so there was nowhere for the victim to steer clear?
None of that is meant to complicate things or make accusations. I'm only saying what I always do: When someone is hurt or killed in an accident like this it's always critical to learn the clear facts of a wreck in case things aren't how they seem. Will police attention be enough to get to the bottom of what happened here, or should someone else make sure nothing slips through the cracks?
