Fort Worth, TX — February 25, 2025, Daniel Mejia was injured in a truck accident shortly before 6:45 a.m. along Interstate Highway 35W.

According to authorities, 42-year-old Daniel Mejia was traveling in a westbound Toyota Tacoma on State Highway 183 at I.H. 35W when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a Peterbilt 18-wheeler with a trailer in tow failed to yield the right-of-way at a red light. A collision subsequently took place between the Peterbilt and and the Tacoma.

Mejia reportedly suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident. It does not appear that anyone else was hurt. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler fails to yield at a red light and causes a serious crash, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, wrecks like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

Why did the truck fail to yield? Professional drivers are trained to recognize and obey traffic signals, so investigators need to determine why this one did not. Was the driver distracted? Fatigued? Did they misjudge the timing of the light? Investigators should review dashcam footage, cell phone records, and hours-of-service logs to identify potential causes.

Was the truck’s speed a factor? Large trucks take significantly longer to stop than passenger vehicles, and approaching an intersection too fast can make it impossible to brake in time. If the Peterbilt was traveling too fast for conditions or failed to anticipate the red light, that could have contributed to the crash. Investigators should examine black box data, braking distances, and traffic signal timing to determine whether speed played a role.

Was the truck in proper working condition? Brake issues, steering malfunctions, or other mechanical failures could have prevented the truck from stopping. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy. Investigators should review maintenance logs, inspection reports, and crash scene evidence to determine whether poor vehicle upkeep contributed.

Was the Peterbilt being used for commercial purposes? Most 18-wheelers are operating under business-related demands, meaning additional regulations apply. Investigators need to determine whether the driver was following hours-of-service regulations, whether the truck was overloaded, and whether the company’s policies contributed to the crash. Reviewing company records, driver logs, and past safety violations could provide insight into whether broader issues played a role.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity they deserve.