LUFKIN, TX (08/10/2016) — An 18-wheeler accident on Wednesday night claimed the lives of Brenda Ramon and Thaddeus Warden, and left Bria Jones injured.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has identified 40-year-old Brenda Ramon (of Laredo) and 43-year-old Thaddeus Warden (of Lufkin) as the victims of a fatal three-vehicle collision that happened on Highway 59 near Rivercrest Road in Angelina County, Texas.
The DPS reported that at around 7:00 p.m., 43-year-old Gorrin Caballero was traveling northbound along the highway in an 18-wheeler when he experienced a blowout and veered into southbound traffic.
Once Caballero entered oncoming traffic his commercial vehicle collided with two southbound vehicles. After the initial collision, both passenger vehicles caught fire.
Ramon, who was a passenger in Caballero’s truck, lost her life at the scene. The second victim, Thaddeus Warden, was in a 2013 Dodge that was struck by the 18-wheeler.
Bria Jones, the 21-year-old driver of a 2016 Jeep, was also involved the accident. She sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital in Lufkin for treatment; she has since been released.
An investigation is ongoing.
Commentary
The DPS reported that this accident began with a blowout, which caused the driver to lose control and drive into oncoming traffic. Although the event that initiated this incident was not intentional, the truck driver’s insurance policy will more-than-likely still apply.
I would be interested to know what the official investigation determines in regard to the blowout. Was the truck properly maintained? Were the tires in poor condition? Might the tire manufacturer hold a portion of responsibility for this accident?
If you have more information regarding this crash, please leave a comment below.
