VICTORIA, TX (01/17/2016) — Juan Lopez, along with Bertha and Joaquin Zerate, were hospitalized for injuries following a car wreck on Sunday.
Authorities have identified 19-year-old Juan Carlos Lopez, Jr., 56-year-old Bertha Zerate, and 51-year-old Joaquin Zerate as the victims of a two-vehicle car accident that occurred along Highway 77 near Coletoville Road in Victoria, Texas.
According to Department of Public Safety (DPS) spokesman Ruben San Miguel, Lopez was traveling southbound in a maroon-colored 2011 Kia Sorento when he struck a 2008 Dodge pickup truck who’s driver failed to yield right-of-way.
The driver of the Dodge was identified as 49-year-old Jaime Alvarado. He was issued a citation for failing to yield right-of-way.
Lopez was taken to DeTar Hospital Navarro, and has since been treated and released. His two passengers, Joaquin and Bertha Zerate, remain hospitalized in fair condition.
Commentary
Side impact collisions can easily cause serious injuries due to the fact that drivers and passengers are more like to get whipped around. Broadsided accidents are most commonly caused by drivers who fail to yield right-of-way, which can include running a red light, a stop sign, or simply not gauging oncoming traffic properly. For this reason, we would like to remind drivers that traffic changes in a matter of seconds, which is why it’s crucial to check twice before making a maneuver. Taking the extra time could help you prevent an accident.
