David Wheatley Killed in Car Accident in Odessa, TX
Odessa, TX -- December 20, 2022, David Wheatley was killed following an accident where a vehicle struck him along the roadway.
Right now, it appears the incident has resulted in serious charged. Details say that 36-year-old David Wheatley was walking on the shoulder along North County Road West early Tuesday morning. There was apparently traffic along the roadway when, according to police, a 2012 Chevy Avalanche tried to pass the vehicles on the shoulder. Doing so, the vehicle hit Wheatley, resulting in fatal injuries.
Authorities said that the Chevy driver was 31-year-old Arturo Cerros, and a charge for Criminally Negligent Homicide is pending. I certainly can't confirm anything regarding those charges--that's between the accused and the authorities. But if the allegations are true, it shows why people can't use the shoulder flippantly. It's for emergencies, and overlooking that can lead to people getting hurt, as seems to have happened here.
With all of that said, though, things are rarely as simple as just sending a driver to court. There are usually insurance companies or other entities involved that only present further challenges to the victims and families. If they take the details for granted, they may find they lack the tools and evidence needed to meet those challenges. That's why even stories like this shouldn't be taken at face value. Those involved need to know they're getting all the facts, and that usually means conducting more thorough, independent investigations.
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