Henderson County, TX — February 28, 2025, Heather Glaspie was injured in a truck accident at approximately 1:30 p.m. along State Highway 155.

According to authorities, 37-year-old Heather Glaspie was traveling in a northbound Ford F-250 on S.H. 155 in the vicinity south of the F.M. 4104 intersection when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a Volvo 18-wheeler with a trailer in tow made a lane change at an apparently unsafe time. A collision subsequently took place between the back-right of the truck's trailer and the front-left of the pickup truck. Reports also state that the pickup truck caught on fire over the course of the accident.

Glaspie reportedly suffered serious injuries due to the wreck. It does not appear that anyone else was harmed. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

When an 18-wheeler makes an unsafe lane change and causes a 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 driver change lanes at the wrong time? Professional drivers are trained to check their mirrors, use turn signals, and ensure there is enough space before changing lanes. Investigators need to determine whether the driver misjudged the distance, failed to check blind spots, or was distracted at the time. Reviewing dashcam footage, black box data, and cell phone records could provide insight.

Did the truck’s trailer have proper visibility and signaling? Trucks have large blind spots, making it difficult to see smaller vehicles, especially near the trailer’s rear wheels. If the truck’s side mirrors, turn signals, or reflective markings were not functioning properly, that could have contributed to the crash. Investigators should examine inspection records, lighting conditions, and crash scene evidence to assess visibility.

What caused the pickup truck to catch fire? Vehicle fires don’t typically happen unless there is a major impact, a fuel system failure, or a defect in one of the vehicles. Investigators should determine whether the collision itself was severe enough to spark a fire or if faulty vehicle design, improper maintenance, or cargo from the truck played a role. Reviewing burn patterns, vehicle safety records, and manufacturer recall history could help identify the cause.

Did the trucking company play a role? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers follow proper lane-change procedures and operate safely around smaller vehicles. If this driver was inexperienced, under pressure to meet deadlines, or operating a truck with malfunctioning safety equipment, those details need to be examined. Investigators should review company policies, training records, and past safety violations to determine whether broader issues contributed to the wreck.

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.