Texas Accident & Injury News
October 5, 2020: The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified the victims of the September 27, 2020 head-on crash on SH 105 about a mile east of FM 2518 in Tarkington northeast of Houston.
Two of the deceased victims are from Houston while the third is from Hardin County. They are Francisco Rivera-Rosas, 33, of Houston, who was driving the black Chevrolet pickup that veered into the path of another black Chevrolet pickup driven by Timothy Gannon, 56, of Saratoga. Both drivers were killed as well as a backseat passenger in Rivera-Rosas’ vehicle – Juan Salgado, age unknown.
Two other passengers were traveling in Rivera-Rosas’ vehicle – his 15-year-old son, who was uninjured, and 43-year-old Juan Salgado-Alvarez, 43, of Houston, who was seriously injured. Gannon’s wife, Kimberly Gannon, 57, also suffered serious injuries.
According to a Texas DPS spokesperson, the accident was caused when Rivera-Rosas, who was traveling westbound, attempted to pass an 18-wheeler and went into the eastbound lane of travel, striking the Gannons’ vehicle head-on. The accident happened at 8:36 p.m. that evening.
The accident closed traffic on SH 105 for more than four hours while first responders removed the people from their vehicles and cleaned up debris from the roadway. HAZMAT responded to the scene with a sweeper due to the heavy debris.
Observing speed limits means more than driving faster or slower than the posted speed: it means driving to conditions. When it’s raining or foggy, when ice is on the road, when traffic is heavy or when road construction is ahead, adjust your speed accordingly.
Keep Right
Watch for signs on Texas multi-lane highways that read “Left Lane For Passing Only.” These signs let you know that the left lane on a divided highway is not a “fast” lane; it is a passing lane.
After you pass someone, move into the right lane once you’ve safely cleared the vehicle. Impeding the flow of traffic by continuing to drive in the left lane is punishable by a fine of up to $200.
Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and may need up to 100 yards to stop. Here are some tips to help keep you safe when you drive near trucks:
- Maintain a safe following distance. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, you should be able to count at least two seconds before you pass the same object.
- Don’t squeeze between trucks and the curb. Trucks make wide right turns, and the driver may not see you.
- When passing a truck, don’t move back into your lane until you can see both truck headlights in your rearview mirror.
- Be aware of a truck’s blind spots: up to 20 feet in front of the tractor, anywhere along the sides of the trailer and up to 200 feet behind the trailer.
- Never cross behind a truck that is backing up.
Move Over
When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, state law requires that you:
- move a lane away from the emergency vehicle, or
- slow down 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
https://www.txdot.gov/driver/share-road/highway-driving.html
If you, a family member or loved one has been injured or has suffered a wrongful death due to driving accidents, contact an attorney who specializes in these cases to review your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for damages, medical treatments, and lost wages due to the incident.
Lawyers at Carabin Shaw help clients get the care and attention they deserve after a serious incident. Our experienced attorneys represent people and families who have suffered catastrophic injuries and tragic wrongful deaths throughout the state of Texas. If you or a loved one has been injured contact us today at (800) 862-1260.