Burleson County, TX — October 30, 2025, Josalyn Escobedo was injured in a truck accident at about 4 p.m. on State Highway 36 near Caldwell.

Authorities said a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Cruze and a northbound 2016 Freightliner semi-truck collided near County Road 314.

Chevrolet driver Josalyn Yvon Escobedo, 18, of Cypress suffered non-incapacitating injuries in the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

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

Commentary

When people hear that a car and an 18-wheeler collided head-on, the first question they usually have is: How could that happen? Was someone in the wrong lane? Was one of the vehicles trying to turn? Without that context, it's impossible to understand who’s responsible or what could’ve prevented it.

At the moment, we know a northbound semi-truck and a southbound car collided on State Highway 36 near Caldwell. But that’s about it. The public doesn’t yet know which vehicle crossed into the other’s path, or why. Depending on whether the truck was moving or stopped, or if either vehicle was trying to turn near County Road 314, very different legal questions come into play.

When a crash like this happens, the key to finding out what really occurred isn’t just witness statements, it’s technology. Most modern trucks are equipped with engine control modules (ECMs) that show things like speed, braking and throttle position. In-cab cameras, if installed, can show whether the driver was alert, distracted or reacting to something unexpected. And of course, the driver’s phone records can help determine if they were making a call or texting at the time of the crash.

But a good investigation doesn’t stop with the driver. One of the most overlooked aspects of truck crash cases is the role of the trucking company. Was this driver properly trained? How thoroughly was he vetted before being hired? I’ve handled cases where drivers were fired from multiple jobs but hired anyway by companies who never bothered to check. In one case, a driver “passed” her road test after just 20 minutes on the highway, a test supposedly designed to measure her ability to drive in daylight, nighttime and changing weather conditions. That’s not just cutting corners. That’s setting the stage for disaster.

It’s too early to say what happened here or who’s to blame. But without a full investigation into the truck’s electronic data, the driver’s actions and the company’s safety policies, the real story may never come to light.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s not yet clear which vehicle crossed into the other’s path, making it impossible to assess fault based on current reports.
• Electronic data from the truck’s ECM and in-cab cameras could clarify the trucker’s actions at the time of the crash.
• Phone records are essential to determine whether distraction played a role.
• A thorough investigation should also examine the trucking company’s hiring and training procedures.
• Getting to the truth requires more than a police report. It requires evidence, scrutiny and accountability.