FRITCH, TX (12/02/2015) — The driver of an 18-wheeler made an illegal passing maneuver, which caused an accident that killed Rosa Rangel on Wednesday afternoon.
According to officials, 57-year-old Rosa Rangel was killed after her pickup truck was struck head-on by an 18-wheeler along Highway 136 in Fritch, Texas.
Police reported that shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, 37-year-old David Pomianowski was traveling northbound on US 136 in an 18-wheeler, attempting to pass vehicles in a no-passing lane on an incline.
Rangel, who was traveling southbound in a 2005 Ford pickup truck, was struck by Pomianowski’s tractor-trailer head-on.
Rangel was killed in the wreckage. Pomianowski was taken to a nearby area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Trooper Cindy Barkley stated that she was unsure if Pomianowski will criminal charges.
Commentary
Why was the truck driver compelled to pass in a no-passing zone? While passing illegally would be dangerous for any driver, the consequences especially dire with a large, hardly-agile vehicle such as an 18-wheeler. Passing zones are in place to maintain order and safety on the road, and to prevent senseless accidents such as this one. I hope a full and complete investigation is performed, and that the responsible driver is held fully accountable for his actions.
