Central Texas reports indicate a fatal accident involving an SUV and an 18-wheeler around 5 a.m. Thursday July 28. Texas DPS officials note 20-year-old driver Christopher Michael Hicks of Anderson County was driving at a high-speed around a bend in the highway when he veered into oncoming traffic striking the rig of 54-year-old Ernest Ray Freedman of Waco. Hicks and his passenger 19-year-old Courtnee Nicole Odom of Tyler were both pronounced dead at the scene from the head-on collision. Freedman was taken to Madison St. Joseph Hospital of Madisonville with injuries to his head and legs.
Approximate Site of the Accident
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Commentary
It is a terrible thing when a fatality could possibly have been prevented by someone simply slowing their vehicle down. My firm litigates fatal auto accident cases all of the time and each one is striking. If the police reports are true the driver of the rig could have standing for a personal injury claim against the SUV drivers estate. An independent investigation is needed to determine liability but speeding is sometimes a cause of these accidents. The driver may have grounds to collect damages based on income loss or medical costs to name a few. What occurred Thursday morning is a terrible thing but those who are not found to be a fault should not have to suffer because of someone elses mistake.
Waco Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman
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