Canadian, TX — Two people were killed in an accident with an 18-wheeler sixteen miles north of Canadian, Texas, on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. The accident took place on U.S. 83, at the intersection of FM 281.
The accident occurred when Fernando and Leticia Ortiz were making a left-hand turn onto 281. According to reports, they failed to yield the right-of-way to a passing 18-wheeler and were killed.
The driver of the 18-wheeler has not injured. Officials have not released the man’s name.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
New reports make it sound like the accident was purely the fault of the victims. They drove out in front of an 18-wheeler when they shouldn’t have, and they got hit. But it really isn’t difficult to imagine a scenario in which the driver of the 18-wheeler is at fault, and another in which the victims are at fault. I can say a couple of things. Judging the speed of an oncoming car is very difficult. Obviously, there’s a noticeable difference between 5 miles per hour and 50 miles per hour, but there isn’t between 50 miles per hour and 80 miles per hour, and that really can be the difference between life and death.
Yes, it’s possible the victims just should have wait the couple of extra seconds and let the truck pass. It’s also possible the truck driver was speeding and should have slowed down. A more thorough investigation into the matter is going to be needed to know for sure. Police reports can never be 100% relied on in these matters. And if they can’t be relied on, the news reports definitely can’t be, either.
— Grossman Law Offices
