Hunt County, TX — February 11, 2025, Francisco Duran was injured in a truck accident at approximately 6:45 p.m. along State Highway 66.

According to authorities, 55-year-old Francisco Duran was traveling in a northeast bound Ford F-150 pickup truck on S.H. 66 at the Brewton Industrial Drive intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a northwest bound International 18-wheeler with a trailer in tow had become disabled in the active lane of the roadway. Reports state that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, a collision took place between the front-right of the pickup truck and the left side of the 18-wheeler's trailer.

Duran suffered reportedly 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

When a pickup truck collides with a disabled 18-wheeler in an active lane of traffic, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, crashes like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

Why was the 18-wheeler stopped in an active lane? Truck drivers are trained to avoid stopping in travel lanes unless absolutely necessary. Did the truck experience a mechanical failure, or was it left there for another reason? Investigators should review maintenance records, driver statements, and any available dashcam footage to determine why the truck was disabled.

Did the truck driver follow proper safety procedures? Federal regulations require commercial drivers to activate hazard lights and deploy reflective warning triangles when their vehicle is disabled on the roadway. If those precautions weren’t taken, approaching drivers may not have had enough warning to react in time. Investigators should determine whether the truck was properly marked and visible.

Did the pickup driver have enough time to react? While drivers are responsible for staying alert, it’s difficult to avoid a stopped truck if visibility is poor or if the truck was positioned in a way that created an unexpected hazard. Investigators should analyze lighting conditions, road design, and possible sight obstructions to determine whether Duran had a reasonable chance to avoid the collision.

Did broader issues contribute to the crash? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained and their drivers follow safe operating procedures. If the company ignored maintenance schedules, failed to train drivers on emergency procedures, or pressured drivers to operate unsafe vehicles, those factors could be relevant in understanding why this crash happened. Investigators should review company policies, safety records, and past violations to determine 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.