VICTORIA, TX (12/21/2015) — The driver of a semitrailer failed to yield right-of-way, which caused a collision that hospitalized three people on Monday.
According to authorities, 58-year-old Casimero Hernandez, 53-year-old Maria Estrada, and 30-year-old Ricardo Sanchez were all hospitalized after their vehicle was struck by a semitrailer along northbound U.S. 59 in Victoria, Texas.
The Victoria Police Department (VPD), stated that at around 6:40 a.m., 54-year-old Jose Olvera was traveling in an 18-wheeler, leaving a private drive to cross the highway, when he failed to yield right-of-way causing Hernandez’s maroon, 1991 Dodge van to collide with Olvera’s 18-wheeler.
Hernandez was transported to DeTar Hospital Navarro in fair condition. The other two occupants of Hernandez’s vehicle—Estrada and Sanchez—were taken to Citizens Medical Center. Their current conditions are unknown at this time.
Olvera did not suffer any injuries in the wreckage.
According to VPD spokeswoman Detective Tanya Brown, no citations have been issued and the accident remains under investigation.
Commentary
Detective Tanya Brown with the Victoria Police Department attributed this accident to failure to yield right-of-way. Statistical data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that in 2013, 7.1% of fatal accidents were caused by drivers who failed to yield right-of-way. Three victims were hospitalized for serious injuries, but thankfully, this accident did not result in any fatalities. We want to remind drivers that when you’re entering a roadway, the right-of-way always belongs to the drivers that are already traveling on said road. If you fail to yield, you may be considered liable for the accident and any related damages.
