Three Injured in Auto Accident on Texas 36 in Burleson County
Burleson County, TX — January 9, 2023, three people were hospitalized after a three-vehicle crash on State Highway 36 in Burleson County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:15 a.m. along Highway 36 near Caldwell. Preliminary investigation suggests a Mercury passenger vehicle tried to pass a Mazda vehicle ahead of it, but had insufficient space to complete the pass. The car hit the rear axle of a tractor-trailer, after which the big rig ran off the road and overturned in a ditch. The Mazda vehicle then hit debris from the collision and crashed as well.
The Mercury driver was airlifted from the scene to a Bryan hospital. The Mazda's two occupants were taken by ambulance to the same hospital. The truck driver was reportedly unhurt.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
Preliminary reports about this crash seem pretty straightforward--a passing maneuver went wrong and serious injuries followed. As always, however, I'd stress the importance of investigating thoroughly and being sure that's really the whole story. Sometimes further efforts don't learn anything that changes the narrative, but the years have taught me that going the extra mile sometimes turns up something unusual--something overlooked at first--that shows the incident in a new light.
That's not to call police efforts into question, nor to say I know something they don't. It's just that someone is now in the hospital with potentially life-changing injuries, and it's only right to try and fully understand the accident that put them there instead of making assumptions. I hope authorities will take the time and care needed to ensure the truth is found, as the people affected deserve no less.
