HICO, TX (11/05/2015) — A wrong way 18-wheeler driver crashed into another 18-wheeler leaving Jensen Claus with incapacitating injuries on Thursday.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 47-year-old Jensen Claus and 27-year-old Gary Hannemann were both seriously injured following an 18-wheeler accident along Highway 6 (Second Street) in Hico, Texas on Thursday morning.
DPS Trooper Chad Freeman stated that Hannemann was traveling westbound in a 2013 Kenworth 18-wheeler when he drove into oncoming traffic and collided with Claus’ 2014 Kenworth truck tractor head-on.
After the initial impact, Claus’ 18-wheeler careened off the roadway into a hardware store where the truck burst into flames and became engulfed in fire.
“(Claus) sustained incapacitating injuries, but nurses at Hamilton General stated he was in stable condition when they left for Scott and White,” Freeman’s report states. “Due to the collision (Claus’ truck) caught on fire and was completely engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.”
DPS Senior Trooper Harpin Meyers reported that Hannemann’s vehicle crashed into a Sonic Drive-In.
Hannemann was taken to for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries.
“Nobody on the ground from either building was injured,” said Meyer.
Commentary
While it’s unfortunate to hear that two people were injured in this accident, I am glad to hear that both men survived. Big rig cabs generally do little to protect the driver from injuries, and really have no crumple zones. Given the fact that the two trucks were pulling trailers (significantly adding to their mass) and collided head-on, one has to be thankful that the results were not fatal. I wish all parties involved a speedy recovery.
