Lorenzo Smith Injured in Truck Accident on US-180 in Scurry County, TX
Scurry County, TX — November 29, 2022, 50-year-old Lorenzo Smith was injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 180 in Scurry County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 7:00 a.m. on US-180 near Farm to Market Road 1611. Preliminary investigation suggests Smith was driving a Lexus sedan east on the highway as a Mack tractor-trailer was westbound nearby on the other side.
Investigators allege that Smith crossed left of center and started traveling east in the westbound lanes, against traffic. The truck driver allegedly slowed and started to steer onto the shoulder when the Lexus crashed into both the truck and its trailer. The car then ran off the south side of the road and came to rest in the barrow ditch.
Smith suffered serious injuries in the crash. The truck driver was reportedly unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
With a crossover wreck like this it's crucial not to take anything for granted and investigate carefully. I've learned over the years that things aren't always as straightforward as reports make them sound, and quite frankly police aren't always able to devote enough time and effort to ensure they have the whole story.
Take for example a case I handled not long ago: Much like in Scurry County, police said a man veered over the center line and hit an 18-wheeler. Accident reconstructionists took another look, though, and found that the rookie investigating officer, who was left to handle the entire investigation on his own, got the facts wrong.
What actually happened was the truck drifted left of center when its driver fell asleep. The victim steered into the opposite lane to avoid it, but the truck hit the rumble strips and the driver woke up. He steered hard back on-course but once again headed right toward the victim, who couldn't avoid the truck a second time. The officer found both vehicles in the truck's lane when he got there and just assumed the victim was to blame.
That situation was pretty unique and I'm not saying anything like that happened on Highway 180, but I would hate to think important details went unnoticed until it was too late. Moreover, I don't see any indication that the victim ever added his two cents. If police already have their minds made up, who'll make sure he gets to?
