On Monday afternoon, a head-on collision in Baylor County took the life of a 63-year-old truck driver. The wreck happened on U.S. 82, less than 10 miles west of Seymour. According to KFDX News Channel Three, a Chevrolet Tahoe and a semi truck collided head on. The SUV, heading westbound, drifted across the centerline and into the path of the oncoming tractor trailer. The driver of the semi truck tried to swerve at the last minute, but was unable to move the large rig to safety. The two vehicles collided. The driver of the tractor trailer was 63-year-old Donald Ogle of Tennessee. The cab of his truck caught fire, and he was killed. The 24-year-old driver of the Tahoe was airlifted to United Regional Hospital for treatment of injuries.
Tahoe Driver Injured
There’s no word on the SUV driver’s injuries, but KFDX News Channel Three did report that he or she was treated and released. No information has been released on the cause of this crash either. Investigators are likely trying to determine why the SUV crossed over the centerline. Was this a case of distracted driving? Why did the driver drift into oncoming traffic? This wreck is likely still under investigation with law enforcement officials.
Crashes Involving Big Rigs
Crashes involving semi trucks can be devastating for both big-rig drivers and other roadway users. Most tractor trailers can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. In 2000, 4,930 big rigs were involved in fatal crashes in America. During that same year, 101,000 big rigs were involved in wrecks that resulted in injuries. Additionally, over half of all fatal crashes involving large trucks happened on non-divided two-lane roadways.
When to Call an Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a tractor trailer, contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Questions remain unanswered about this wreck, which is most likely still under investigation. In many wrecks involving semi trucks, drivers in smaller passenger vehicles are often the most devastatingly injured. Since tractor trailers are so much larger and heavier than traditional passenger vehicles, they can often cause a lot of damage. Sadly, this is the second fatal head-on collision we’ve reported on this week. Last Wednesday, a head-on collision took the life of a Graham High School student. The team at the Altman Legal Group sends their deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Donald Ogle.