Catarino Pulido-Avalos Injured in Truck Accident on Shepherd Dr in Houston, TX
Houston, TX — November 18, 2022, 57-year-old Catarino Pulido-Avalos was seriously injured in a crash with an 18-wheeler on Shepherd Drive in Houston.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:55 a.m. on North Shepherd at Northew Street. Preliminary investigation suggests a Freightliner semi-truck was towing a trailer south on Shepherd as Pulido-Avalos was driving a Chevy Silverado pickup east on Northew in the left-turn lane.
According to reports the southbound truck driver disregarded a red light and continued into the intersection, where he crashed into the driver's side of the Chevy. The truck driver then drove away without stopping or rendering aid, but returned to the scene around an hour later and was arrested.
Pulido-Avalos suffered serious injuries in the crash. No other injuries were reported.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Catarino Pulido-Avalos Accident in Houston
After reading the preliminary reports about this crash some may think the victim would have the truck driver (and by extension his employer) dead-to-rights. Not only did the truck reportedly run a light, but police said the trucker even fled the scene (though to his credit he returned). What more could anyone need to prove who was at fault?
Reasonable as that may sound, almost no commercial truck accident ties up that neatly. Trucking companies use many tricks and strategies to avoid liability; in Houston, for example, they might suggest the traffic lights were improperly timed or--if they're feeling punchy--that the victim was speeding. Even the driver's alleged flight from the crash might be questioned as the company argued the officers "misunderstood" what happened.
The point is that a company's cooperation should never be taken for granted no matter how damning early reports may seem. Their stubbornness and inventiveness shouldn't be underestimated, which is why I try to inform people about the challenges they might face after situations like this. I hope the needed steps were or will be taken to get the resolution the victim deserves.
