Teen Killed in Single-Vehicle Accident on US-59 in San Jacinto County, TX
San Jacinto County, TX — January 1, 2023, a 17-year-old driver was killed in a single-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 59 in San Jacinto County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 2:00 p.m. on US-59 near Farm to Market Road 2914. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was driving a Toyota Tacoma north on the exit ramp from the highway toward FM 2914. Investigators allege the driver disregarded a stop sign at the service road and FM 2914, drove through the intersection at an angle, and hit a concrete overpass support pillar. The truck glanced off and continued northward, then overturned and rolled multiple times before coming to rest.
The teen driver was fatally injured in the crash. Authorities alleged that alcohol consumption may have played a role and ordered tests as part of their investigation.
No further information is currently available.
One thing I find a lot after reading preliminary reports is that they leave me with far more questions than answers. Sometimes that's just a matter of the years teaching me what blanks law enforcement doesn't fill in, but in many cases I'm asking the same things anyone else would after seeing the rough picture authorities created.
Take the crash above, for example: How on earth did it happen? If the pickup went out of control near that intersection, why? Was the driver incapacitated somehow—a medical condition, maybe? Did the truck malfunction or blow a tire? Officers mentioned impairment was a suspected factor; what will blood tests say about that?
This isn't about pointing fingers or suggesting I know more than reports say. I only know from long experience that what people tend to want most after these incidents is clear answers. That young man's family deserves no less than the whole and true story of how they lost someone dear to them; I just hope authorities recognize that and make sure they get it.
