Angelina County, TX — January 31, 2026, Tammy Perkins was injured due to a truck accident at approximately 4:15 p.m. along U.S. Highway 69.

According to authorities, 43-year-old Tammy Perkins was traveling in a northbound Kia K5 on U.S. 69 approaching the F.M. 2021 intersection behind an 18-wheeler when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, as the 18-wheeler was slowing in preparation of making a right turn at the intersection, a collision occurred between the front-end of the Kia and the rear-end of the 18-wheeler.

Perkins reportedly sustained injuries of unknown severity—though they were apparently non-life-threatening—as a result of the collision. She was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment.

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 a passenger car strikes the back of a slowing 18-wheeler, the first assumption might be driver inattention—but in my experience, it’s not always that simple. Rear-end collisions involving trucks often raise questions about how clearly the truck’s movements were communicated, whether its brake lights and signals were working properly, and whether the truck driver executed the turn predictably and within standard practice.

In this case, the truck was reportedly preparing to make a right turn, which brings additional considerations. Was the truck straddling lanes? Did it slow gradually, or brake suddenly? Did it swing left before turning right, as some longer vehicles must do? These are the kinds of details that matter when trying to determine whether the car had enough time and space to react safely.

Investigators should focus on:

• Whether the truck used its right turn signal in a timely and visible manner;
• How far in advance the truck began slowing, and whether that was consistent with safe stopping practices;
• Whether the car was following too closely, or if the truck’s turn behavior created an unexpected conflict;
• Brake light and signal functionality on the 18-wheeler, which can fail or be obstructed by dirt or cargo;
• ECM data, dash cams, or nearby traffic cameras, which may show timing, spacing, and driver input on both vehicles.

I’ve worked on cases where a truck’s turn looked routine on paper, but in reality involved an ambiguous maneuver that gave trailing drivers little time to react. The law expects drivers to maintain a safe following distance, yes—but it also expects trucks to signal clearly and make turns in a predictable, legal fashion.

Key Takeaways:

• A rear-end collision during a truck’s turn raises questions about signaling, turn behavior, and stopping distance.
• Investigators must determine whether the 18-wheeler braked or turned in a way that gave the trailing car adequate time to respond.
• Functionality of the truck’s brake lights and turn signals will be critical in assessing communication to other drivers.
• Dash cam or ECM data may clarify timing, speed, and lane positioning leading up to the crash.
• Even though the car struck the truck, liability depends on whether the truck’s movements met required safety standards.