Francisco Curiel Injured in Truck Accident on Joe Fulton Corridor in Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi, TX — January 13, 2023, 50-year-old Francisco Curiel was seriously injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer on Joe Fulton Corridor in Nueces County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 10:20 a.m. on Joe Fulton near West Sun Tide Road. Preliminary investigation suggests a Kenworth semi-truck was towing a loaded trailer east on the roadway a short distance behind Curiel's Toyota Tacoma pickup. Investigators alleged Curiel suddenly started turning left without signaling; the Kenworth, following too close behind, couldn't stop so the driver veered into the oncoming lane in a passing attempt. Curiel turned left as the Kenworth passed through and the two collided in the westbound lane.
Curiel suffered serious injuries in the crash. The Kenworth driver was unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
Folks often fall into the trap of thinking a crash can really only have one explanation or another, and anything but the biggest contributing factor should be ignored. However, many accidents are products of several factors coming together in an unfortunate way. The crash above seems to be a good example; officers alleged the big rig was following too closely (something a professional driver should know not to do), but also said the victim turned suddenly without signaling and may have been under the influence of alcohol.
Any of those alone might cause a crash, but when all of them happen at the same time there might be some disagreement about which was the wreck's proximate cause. Resolving that would probably require careful and thorough investigation, but once police have figured out who they can cite or charge they may move on and leave those questions up in the air for the victim and the trucking company to argue about. The company is likely to have lawyers and investigators to help tell its side of things; who'll make sure the victim has the same chance?
