Fabian Tercero Killed in Truck Rollover Accident on US-385 in Andrews County, TX
Andrews County, TX — December 2, 2022, 19-year-old Fabian Tercero died in a semi-truck rollover accident on U.S. Highway 385 in Andrews County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 7:20 a.m. on US-385, around five miles south of Andrews. Preliminary investigation suggests 24-year-old Aaron Bustillos was driving a Freightliner truck south on the highway when he lost control for unknown reasons. The truck veered off the road and he over-corrected, causing the rig to roll over multiple times.
Tercero, a passenger in the truck, was ejected during the rollover. He and Bustillos were transported to an area hospital where Tercero died a short time later. Bustillos was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Fabian Tercero Accident in Andrews County
Early reports about this wreck don't have all the needed facts yet. It's one thing to read that a truck went out of control, but it's another entirely to understand how and why. Was the driver distracted? Did he fall asleep or have a medical emergency? Was the truck in good condition, or did something in it fail? Did it blow a tire? What were weather and traffic like? Was the road surface hazardous? Additionally, why was the passenger in the truck at the time? Was he a coworker or just along for the ride?
Questions like those aren't about complicating things or making any accusations. It's just important to investigate all the possible variables--mostly to be sure the crash's facts are known, but also because clear evidence is usually needed to get help to the people that need it afterward. That includes finding out why the passenger was there, as it could affect what happens next.
The best way to make sure all those lingering questions are addressed is with a careful and thorough investigation. Unfortunately, that often takes more effort than police invest before drawing conclusions and moving on. That's why I typically suggest getting independent investigators with the time, tools, and training to look again. At the very least it's important to find the truth for a grieving family that experienced a terrible loss.
