Ector County, TX — September 29, 2024, a 47-year-old man was injured in a single-vehicle truck accident at approximately 4:00 p.m. along State Highway 302.

According to authorities, 47-year-old man was traveling in an eastbound Peterbilt box truck on State Highway 302 in the vicinity east of F.M. 866 when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the front-left tire of the box truck blew out. This led to the truck losing control, veering left and into the center median where it crashed through the cable barrier before entering the oncoming lanes of the highway. It then reportedly overturned, coming to a stop resting on its left side.

The man who had been behind the wheel of the truck suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident. He had to be extricated from the wreckage by emergency personnel. After being freed from the aftermath, he was transported to an area medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a commercial truck suffers a tire blowout and loses control, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, tire failures that lead to serious crashes are rarely random events—there are often multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

What caused the tire to fail? Blowouts can happen for several reasons, including worn-out tread, underinflation, overloading, or manufacturing defects. Investigators should examine maintenance records, pre-trip inspection reports, and tire specifications to determine whether the tire was in good condition before the crash.

Was the driver able to maintain control after the blowout? A sudden tire failure can make steering difficult, but experienced drivers are trained to respond in a way that minimizes risk. Investigators should determine whether the driver attempted to slow down gradually and keep the truck stable, or if the loss of control was immediate and unavoidable.

Did broader issues contribute to the wreck? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained, including regular tire inspections and replacements. If a company failed to replace worn tires, ignored signs of tire degradation, or pushed its vehicles past safe operating limits, that could have played a role in the crash. Investigators should review company policies, safety records, and past maintenance violations to determine whether broader issues were at play.

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 and closure they deserve.