On Saturday night, a wrong-way crash near Decatur killed four people. The crash happened at about 6:00 p.m. just south of Decatur on Highway 287. According to KFDX News Channel Three, a Volkswagen Passat was headed the wrong way when it struck a Chevrolet Trailblazer head on. Troopers with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) report that the driver of the Volkswagen, Terri Johnson, was a Wise County Justice of the Peace.
Johnson and three people from the other vehicle were all killed in the crash. The victims in the Trailblazer, 32-year-old Juan Rios, 50-year old Sherry Rios and 35-year-old Amy Dee Culwell, were all Texoma residents. Additionally, a four-year-old girl was airlifted to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth for treatment of injuries. According to a KFDX News update, she sustained two broken legs and facial fractures, but the family expects her to be released from the hospital soon. According to DPS officials, initial reports didn’t indicate alcohol involvement, but the investigation is ongoing and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s report will not be ready for a few weeks.
Deadly Head-On Collisions in North Texas
Sadly, this is the third fatal head-on collision we’ve reported on in two weeks. One of the crashes took the life of a Graham High School student, and left an entire community in mourning. The other deadly head-on collision involved a semi truck in Baylor County. Head-on collision can happen for a number of reasons. When drivers are distracted, they might drift across the center line. Impaired drivers may go the wrong way up highway ramps. Additionally, since these crashes typically involve impact to the fronts of both vehicles, they can be incredibly devastating and fatal for drivers and passengers.
After a Fatal Crash
If you have lost a loved one due to somebody else’s negligence, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Surviving family members are often facing expensive medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income and the pain and suffering that accompanies the loss of a loved one. An attorney can handle the legal details, while you grieve for your lost loved one. The team at the Altman Legal Group sends their deepest condolences to the family members and friends of all of the victims involved in this crash. Additionally, we wish a speedy and full recovery for the little girl who was injured.