Shelby County, TX — December 4, 2024, Kristen Lee was killed and Iso Isoev was injured in a truck accident at about 2:40 p.m. on U.S. Route 59.

Authorities said a Dodge Ram 1500 was headed north when it hydroplaned into in the southbound lane, where it was hit by a Freightliner box truck.

Dodge driver Kristen Lee, 26, died in the crash near Timpson, according to authorities. Truck driver Iso Isoev, 31, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Shelby County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle hydroplanes into oncoming traffic and is struck by a commercial truck, most people treat it as an unfortunate consequence of bad weather or poor road conditions. But from a legal standpoint, the real issue is whether the crash could have been prevented, and who, if anyone, failed to take the precautions necessary to avoid it.

Hydroplaning doesn’t just happen out of nowhere. It’s a result of water buildup on the roadway combined with tires that lose traction. While road conditions play a role, so do vehicle speed, tire condition and driver behavior. If a vehicle crosses the center line and causes a head-on collision, investigators need to look at whether the driver was going too fast for the conditions, even if they weren’t technically speeding.

In this case, a Dodge Ram crossed into the southbound lane and was struck by a Freightliner box truck. From what’s been reported, the truck driver stayed in their lane and likely had little time to react. But even in scenarios like this, it's worth asking whether evasive action was possible. Did the truck driver brake or swerve? Was there any warning before the crash? The Freightliner’s engine control module could provide critical data — like vehicle speed, braking and throttle activity — that helps clarify the timeline.

On the surface, it looks like the truck driver did nothing wrong. But that doesn’t mean the investigation should stop with who crossed the line. There are still broader questions to ask. Was the roadway properly drained and maintained? Was there a history of similar crashes in that area during wet conditions? If so, the issue may go beyond the driver and into the realm of highway maintenance or design.

It's also important to remember that hydroplaning doesn’t excuse a crash: it just changes the nature of the questions. Was the driver of the Dodge traveling at a safe speed given the weather? Were the tires worn or improperly inflated? These are the kinds of details that will determine whether this was truly an unavoidable incident or something that could have been prevented with better preparation or more cautious driving.

At the end of the day, someone lost their life, and another was injured. When that happens, it's not enough to chalk it up to the weather. The goal should be to look closely at every factor — from vehicle condition to driver choices to roadway design — and make sure the right lessons are learned, and the right parties are held accountable if any part of this crash was avoidable.