Allen Long Hit, Killed by 18-Wheeler on State Highway 32 in Texas County, MO
Texas County, MO — February 6, 2023, 56-year-old pedestrian Allen Long was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on State Highway 32 in Texas County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:00 a.m. on Highway 32 just outside Licking. Preliminary investigation suggests Long was allegedly walking in the highway's travel lanes when a Peterbilt 18-wheeler passed through the area and struck him under unknown circumstances.
Long was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
In my experience people are often quick to write accidents like this one off, saying that a pedestrian takes a significant risk by walking on a highway. It's true that's a risky place for those on foot, but I don't think anyone believes that gives drivers free rein to hit them. The law is far more nuanced, so prudent investigators must consider how ultimately avoidable an accident like this was.
Put simply, all drivers have an obligation to avoid any accident they can. That's why further investigation is needed to determine exactly where the pedestrian was, what they were doing, how visible they were, how fast the truck was traveling, what the driver was doing just before the collision, and whether those factors and others clearly show if the accident could have been prevented or avoided. Until careful and comprehensive efforts have found the whole story and all its details, it's best not to jump to any conclusions. That man's loved ones deserve the truth; I just hope Texas County authorities agree.
