Kevin Potter Killed, Emilio Valencia Injured in Dual Truck Accident at FM 297 in Moore County, TX
UPDATE (January 6, 2023): Recent reports identified the drivers involved and released additional details about the crash. According to officials, 67-year-old Kevin Potter was in a semi-truck traveling southbound on US 287. At FM 297, another semi-truck allegedly ran a stop sign, resulting in a collision. Potter was taken to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The other driver, identified in the news as Emilio Valencia, had injuries said to be non-life-threatening.
Below, there were initial few details available. Now, there are some very serious allegations being put forth. I have no reason to doubt them, but I don't make judgments without seeing the evidence for myself. What I can say, however, is that some of the most challenging cases I've handled in my career involved truck drivers harmed by other truck drivers. Why is that?
Generally speaking, a huge hurdle after a commercial truck wreck is the company involved trying their damnedest to avoid responsibility. In a situation with multiple companies, they're likely to fight back and forth trying to blame each other. Meanwhile, the victims and families get drowned out in all the noise if they don't have the tools to make their voice heard.
So while I can't say what happened without more thorough investigations, I see all kinds of red flags here which have me concerned that work from authorities alone may not be enough to make things right.
Moore County, TX -- January 4, 2023, one person was killed and one was injured due to an accident on US 287 involving two semi-trucks.
Preliminary details given via DPS statements said the crash happened at the intersection of US Highway 287 and FM 297, just outside of Cactus, north of Dumas. Initial information said that a semi-truck on FM 297 may have run a stop sign, resulting in a collision with another semi-truck that was crossing the intersection.
As a result of the collision, one of the drivers died following transport to a hospital. The other driver's condition is unclear. It's also unclear which of the victims was in which vehicle. No further information is available at this time.
As little information as there is available about this crash, however, I have all the information I need to know it's going to be a complex situation for those affected. Any commercial vehicle wreck is going to involve its share of hurdles and challenges. A crash involving two semis will only present more significant barriers between the families and the answers and help they deserve.
How fast were the vehicles going? Did the truck indeed run a stop sign? If so, was it due to brake failure? Cell phone usage? Poor training? Did they have a background of reckless driving? Were they driving over their allowed hours of service? Has this sort of thing occurred with their company's employees before? Was there some unusual factor that driver couldn't reasonably avoid, such as missing signage or a defect?
One would hope authorities would be asking all these questions, but I've unfortunately seen first hand how often officials can overlook crucial details if they lack the experience or tools to do so properly. Hopefully steps are being taken to ensure nothing important slips through the cracks here.
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