Cleveland, TX — February 24, 2025, Jorge Zambrano was injured in a truck accident at approximately 2:15 p.m. along Farm to Market 2518.

According to authorities, 38-year-old Jorge Zambrano was traveling in a southbound GMC Sierra pickup truck on F.M. 2518 at a stop at the State Highway 105 intersection when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a southbound Kenworth 18-wheeler with a trailer in tow failed to appropriately control its speed. A collision subsequently occurred between the front-end of the Kenworth and the rear-end of the pickup truck. Zambrano reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

When an 18-wheeler rear-ends a stopped vehicle, 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 didn’t the truck stop in time? Professional drivers are trained to anticipate traffic slowdowns and maintain safe following distances, so investigators need to determine why this one failed to do so. Was the driver distracted? Fatigued? Following too closely? Investigators should review dashcam footage, cell phone records, and hours-of-service logs to identify potential causes.

Was the truck traveling too fast for conditions? Large trucks require more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and excessive speed can make it difficult to react in time. If the Kenworth was moving too fast for traffic conditions or failed to adjust to the stopped pickup, that could have contributed to the crash. Investigators should examine black box data, braking distances, and traffic patterns to determine whether speed was a factor.

Was the truck in proper working condition? Mechanical failures, such as worn brakes or air system issues, could have prevented the driver from stopping in time. Trucking companies are required to perform regular maintenance to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. Investigators should review inspection records, maintenance logs, and black box data to determine if poor vehicle upkeep played a role in the crash.

Did the trucking company play a role? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers follow proper safety procedures. If this driver was inexperienced, improperly trained, or under pressure to meet tight deadlines, that’s something investigators need to uncover. Reviewing company policies, safety records, and past violations could provide insight into whether broader issues contributed to the crash.

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.