Jesus Dominguez Diaz Injured in Truck Accident on SH 115 in Andrews County, TX
Andrews County, TX — November 6, 2022, 24-year-old Jesus Dominguez Diaz was injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer on State Highway 115 in Andrews County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 5:35 p.m. on Texas 115 at Farm to Market Road 181. Preliminary investigation suggests Dominguez Diaz was driving a Dodge Ram 2500 east on the highway as a Freightliner 18-wheeler was headed west nearby.
According to reports the commercial driver failed to yield as he turned left from the highway onto FM 181. The Freightliner entered the Dodge's path and the two collided in the intersection. After the impact the pickup spun out and came to rest on FM 181.
Dominguez Diaz received incapacitating injuries in the crash. The Freightliner driver was unhurt.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Jesus Dominguez Diaz Accident in Andrews County
With crashes like this, folks are often tempted to quickly close the book and consider things all wrapped up. Police said that a truck driver failed to yield and caused a crash; what more is there to say? Well, early reports rarely tell the whole story and that leaves plenty of wiggle room for trucking and insurance companies to avoid liability. It's important folks have the tools and knowledge to close those gaps and tell their side of the story convincingly.
Another situation I ran into not long ago is a good example: A trucking company whose employee turned into the path of a victim's car blamed her for speeding and not wearing her seatbelt when her family approached it about the crash. Conveniently leaving out the part where their employee violated traffic law, the company insisted the victim herself was to blame. It was a heartless load of bull, but the family had to prove that so they called us.
Our investigators found clear evidence that shut the company's excuses down: The victim's speedometer froze on impact as many do, clearly showing that she was traveling the speed limit. In addition, we interviewed the EMTs sent to the scene and all of them agreed they had to cut through the victim's seat belt--meaning it was fastened and functional at impact. On top of all that, examining the big rig's trailer showed its reflectors and tape were so filthy that they were basically useless in the dark when the collision occurred.
Much as we suspected, the company just flung excuses at the wall in hopes something would stick. After we found the facts to keep that from happening, the company grudgingly agreed to do the right thing. However, keep in mind that it took a full investigation by a team of trained professionals to make headway in a situation that on its face seemed cut-and-dried. There are always barriers between victims and the help they deserve, and knowing to expect them is vital to overcoming them.
