Freestone County, TX — December 8, 2025, Alexianna Hernandez was injured in a truck accident at about 7:45 a.m. on Interstate 45 northwest of Fairfield.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2016 Freightliner semi-truck was heading north when it collided with a 2024 Subaru Forester while changing lanes south of County Road 1080.

A passenger in the Subaru, 27-year-old Colorado resident Alexianna Hernandez, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report, while the driver was not hurt.

The truck driver, who was not injured, was cited for changing lanes while unsafe, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Freestone County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read that a semi-truck collided with a passenger vehicle while changing lanes, the natural question is: What made that lane change unsafe? That’s what anyone injured in the crash, or anyone concerned about preventing similar incidents, should be asking. A citation alone doesn’t explain what led to the decision or whether it was part of a broader pattern of risky behavior or poor oversight.

Right now, we don’t know if the truck driver failed to see the Subaru, misjudged the distance or was distracted. Was the driver on the phone? Was the truck equipped with in-cab cameras or blind spot detection systems? Without answers to those questions, it’s impossible to say whether this was a momentary lapse or a sign of deeper issues in how the driver was trained, supervised or screened for the job in the first place.

Depending on whether the truck drifted into the lane or aggressively merged without clearing it, different kinds of evidence will be critical. Dash cam footage, black box data (from the engine control module) and even the driver’s cell phone records can help fill in the blanks. These aren’t just minor details; they determine who is responsible and how they should be held accountable.

I’ve worked on cases where a trucking company’s failure to vet drivers properly played a far greater role in a crash than anything the driver did on the road. One driver I investigated had been fired multiple times before being hired by a company that couldn’t be bothered to check her record. That kind of hiring shortcut turned out to be more dangerous than anything she did behind the wheel.

In this case, the authorities issued a citation, which is a start. But real accountability doesn’t stop there. A proper investigation has to look at the broader picture; both the actions of the driver and the policies of the company that put him on the road.

Key Takeaways:

• A citation for an unsafe lane change doesn’t explain why the maneuver was dangerous.
• Crucial evidence may include black box data, dash cams and the driver’s cell phone use.
• It’s not clear whether distraction, poor visibility or inadequate training played a role.
• Trucking company hiring and oversight practices should be scrutinized when crashes occur.
• Accountability requires a full investigation, not just a traffic ticket.