Juana Adelaida Garza Killed in Accident with 18-Wheeler Just North of Alice, Texas
According to the Corpus Christi Caller Times, a woman was killed in an accident involving a passenger van and an 18-wheeler in Alice, Texas. The wreck occurred around 8:30 p.m. Monday, February 20 when Texas Department of Public Safety troopers believe the rig was backing onto the highway from an oil field. A 58-year-old woman reportedly employed with the Alice Independent School District struck the back of the trailer, killing her at the scene. Troopers note only the passenger air bag deployed and that no skid marks were present indicating the van attempted to stop. There were no safety devices on the road to warn drivers of a loading/construction zone.
Update: The victim has been identified as 58-year-old Juana Adelaida Garza.
Commentary There are a number of troubling things with this accident. First, why did the driver side air bag not deploy? With the note that the passenger side deployed, there is the potential for a defect within the van's safety system. This is a very difficult contingency to determine, as a third party must meticulously inspect the relay systems of the van for flaws in design and functionality. The next thing I'm bothered by is the revelation that the truck was backing onto the highway from a private driveway. Here's the thing. I understand trucking must occur on smaller roads, even well-trafficked single-lane roads. However, in a situation like this, extra caution must be made to warn and stop oncoming traffic. At the minimum, warning signs and barriers should be used by the trucker, at least until they are facing the correct way on the road. I'd rather see a flag man out there stopping traffic until the rig has built up speed on the business highway. This is such a simple fix that could have prevented an accident, yet apparently was not thought of by the oil company. It is simply a dangerous situation allowing a rig to back into oncoming traffic and could mean the truck driver and the company responsible for the drilling site may incur liability in the accident.
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