Update (January 20, 2026): Authorities have released some additional information, which began when a Volvo semi-truck collided with a Toyota Sequoia. The vehicles also hit a Toyota Camry, a Ford F-150 and a 2020 Freightliner semi-truck. Camry occupants Randall Saltink, 66, and Melissa Saltink, 64; Ford driver Augustine Ontiveros-Ramirez, 26; and Volvo driver Michael Stephens, 53, were hospitalized with unspecified injuries after the crash.

Victoria, TX — January 17, 2026, Roberto Barrera, Roxana Ybarra and Marcos Ybarra were killed and four others were injured in a truck accident at about 12:20 p.m. on U.S. Highway 59/Lloyd Bentsen Highway.

Authorities said a northbound semi-truck and several other vehicles were involved in a crash near Hill Street.

Three people died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities. A relative identified them as Robstown residents Roberto Barrera,78; Roxana Ybarra, 50; and Marcos Ybarra, 46.

Four other people were hospitalized with unspecified injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Victoria County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves multiple vehicles and results in several fatalities and injuries, people naturally want to know: What went wrong? Was the truck driver distracted or fatigued? Did one of the passenger vehicles do something sudden or unsafe? Or was there some other issue entirely? These are the kinds of questions that don’t get answered by initial reports, and yet they’re central to making sense of what happened.

At this point, it’s not clear what role the semi-truck played in this wreck on U.S. 59 in Victoria. All we know is that it was reportedly traveling north and was involved in a crash with several other vehicles. That leaves us with a long list of unanswered questions, including whether the truck struck slowed or stopped traffic, lost control or was struck by another vehicle first. The difference between those scenarios matters a great deal when it comes to determining accountability.

In cases like this, key evidence will likely include dash cam footage, engine control module (ECM) data and possibly cell phone records if distraction is suspected. In my experience, black box data is one of the first places to look for answers; it can tell us if the truck was braking, accelerating or swerving before the crash. It’s also important to know whether the truck had forward-facing or in-cab cameras, which are increasingly common and can shed light on the driver’s behavior or external events just before impact.

But getting to the bottom of a crash like this may require looking beyond the scene itself. Was the driver properly trained? Were they driving beyond allowed hours? Was the truck maintained appropriately? I’ve worked on cases where companies cut corners in training or hired drivers with a history of reckless behavior. In those instances, the real issue wasn’t just what happened during the crash; it was the series of decisions made long before the truck ever hit the road.

Given how little public information is available right now, it’s simply too early to say who is responsible. But that doesn’t mean the answers aren’t out there. It just means they haven’t been uncovered yet. If those affected by this crash want real clarity, they’ll need an investigation that goes well beyond the initial police report.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear what role the semi-truck played in the collision; key facts remain unknown.
• Investigators will likely rely on ECM data, dash cams and phone records to understand the truck’s behavior.
• The truck driver’s background and the carrier’s safety practices may be relevant, depending on the facts.
• Determining who is responsible will require a full review of both crash scene evidence and company practices.
• Accountability in truck accidents often extends beyond the driver to include hiring and supervision policies.