Lumberton, TX — September 26, 2025, Manuel Silva was injured in a truck accident at about 9:10 p.m. on U.S. Route 69/South LHS Drive.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a 2022 Freightliner semi-truck that slowing to make a left turn near Eastex Freeway.

Chevrolet driver Manuel Silva, 20, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

The truck driver was not hurt, the report states.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a crash where a pickup runs into the side of a turning 18-wheeler, they tend to assume the smaller vehicle must have been at fault. But from my experience handling truck accident litigation, I can tell you that the situation is often more complicated than it appears, and sometimes the truck driver’s actions are what need the closest scrutiny.

We’re told the crash happened when a Freightliner was “slowing to make a left turn” and a Chevrolet Silverado crashed into it. But that bare description raises more questions than it answers. Was the truck already in the turn lane, or did it suddenly slow in moving traffic? Was it making the turn legally and predictably, or did it swing wide or cross traffic lanes improperly? Depending on how that maneuver was executed, the trucker’s role in causing the crash could be significant.

It’s also not clear whether the turn took place at a marked intersection or a private drive, something that can matter quite a bit in evaluating fault. A left turn across oncoming traffic always demands careful timing and clear signaling. If the turn was made without yielding to traffic or without sufficient warning, even a cautious driver in a smaller vehicle might have had no way to avoid a collision.

This is why independent investigation is so important in crashes like this. Key evidence like dash cam footage, black box data (from both the truck and the pickup) and even the truck driver’s cell phone records can help reconstruct what happened in the moments leading up to impact. Was the trucker distracted? Did the brake lights activate properly? Did the driver signal in advance? These are the kinds of concrete facts that determine who’s actually responsible, not just who came away with injuries.

Another angle to consider is what hiring and training procedures the trucking company followed. A left-turn crash may point to driver inexperience or poor judgment. If it turns out the company didn’t vet the driver properly or failed to give them adequate instruction on how to make such turns safely, then fault may extend well beyond just the person behind the wheel.

I’ve handled cases where what looked at first like a simple driver mistake turned out to be a product of deeper systemic issues: unqualified drivers getting rushed through poor training programs, or companies cutting corners to meet delivery schedules. In one case I worked on a truck driver was hired despite having been fired from multiple previous jobs, and the company’s idea of a driving test was a 20-minute spin around the block. When those kinds of hiring decisions come to light, they often change the way a case is understood.

Until more facts come out about what led up to this crash, there are just too many unanswered questions to draw conclusions about fault. What we do know is that getting to the truth will require digging deeper than what police reports or press releases usually provide.

Key Takeaways:

• It's unclear whether the 18-wheeler’s left turn was executed safely or caused an unexpected hazard.
• Critical evidence — like dash cam footage, black box data and phone records — can reveal what really happened.
• Trucking company hiring and training practices may play a role if the turn was made improperly.
• Left-turn crashes often hinge on whether proper signals and yielding procedures were followed.
• Independent investigation is essential to determine whether the truck driver, the company or someone else bears responsibility.