Hudspeth County, TX — February 10, 2025, Jose Gomez Jimenez and Niurka Ulloa Reyes were killed in a truck accident at around 4:00 a.m. along Interstate Highway 10.

According to authorities, two people—61-year-old Jose Gomez Jimenez and 48-year-old Niurka Ulloa Reyes—were traveling in a westbound Freightliner Cascadia 18-wheeler on I.H. 10 at the Garren Road bridge when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Freightliner failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered left, entering the center median before crashing into a concrete bridge support pillar. Both Jimenez and Reyes sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident and were declared deceased at the scene. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler leaves its lane and crashes into a fixed object, 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.

What caused the truck to leave the roadway? Professional drivers are trained to maintain control of their vehicles, so investigators need to determine what went wrong. Was the driver distracted? Fatigued? Did they experience a medical emergency? Investigators should review cell phone records, hours-of-service logs, and medical history to identify potential causes.

Did mechanical failure play a role? If the truck experienced a steering issue, brake failure, or a tire blowout, that could have made it impossible to stay in the lane. Investigators should examine maintenance logs, black box data, and recent inspection reports to determine whether a mechanical issue contributed.

Was speed a factor? Large trucks take longer to stop and maneuver, and excessive speed can make it difficult to recover from a mistake or sudden obstacle. If the Freightliner was traveling too fast for conditions, that could explain why it veered into the bridge support. Investigators should review black box data, skid marks, and crash reconstruction reports to determine whether speed played a role.

Did the trucking company play a role? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are well-rested, properly trained, and operating safe equipment. If this driver was fatigued, operating a poorly maintained truck, or under pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines, that’s something investigators need to uncover. Reviewing company policies, safety records, and prior 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.