Washington County, TX — October 7, 2025, a teen was killed in a truck accident at about 7:20 a.m. on State Route 17 near Chatom.

Authorities said a 2019 Mack semi-truck and a 2014 Toyota Tacoma collided head-on near mile marker 56, about three miles south of Chatom. The truck ended up in the ditch after the crash.

The Toyota driver, a 17-year-old Washington High School student, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was hospitalized for treatment of unspecified injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Washington County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a head-on crash between a semi-truck and a pickup that killed a high school student, the first question that tends to come up is: How could two vehicles traveling in opposite directions end up in each other’s path? That’s the critical issue here, and right now, it hasn’t been answered.

Authorities say the crash happened around 7:20 a.m. on State Route 17. A 2019 Mack semi and a 2014 Toyota Tacoma collided head-on. The semi ended up in a ditch. But what’s missing from these early reports is the central piece of the puzzle: Which vehicle crossed over?

It’s not clear whether the 18-wheeler veered into the oncoming lane or whether the pickup did. Depending on which vehicle left its lane, entirely different legal questions come into play. If the truck crossed over, investigators will need to determine why, and whether it was preventable.

In crashes like this, I always want to know: What does the evidence say? Was the truck’s driver distracted? That’s not just a hunch. These days, many trucks carry in-cab cameras that can help establish what the driver was doing in the moments before impact. Phone records can also reveal whether the driver was texting or on a call. Even the engine control module, essentially the truck’s black box, can provide clues about speed, braking or any sudden steering maneuvers.

But the investigation shouldn’t stop at the crash itself. What kind of screening and training did the trucking company provide this driver? Were they properly vetted before being hired? I once handled a case where the driver had been fired from multiple jobs, and the company’s evaluation of her driving skills consisted of a 20-minute daytime test, something that wouldn't cut it under any serious standard. In that case, it became clear the company’s failure to screen and train drivers properly was a bigger issue than the driver’s own mistakes.

Back to this crash: Until we know more about the vehicles’ positions, the condition of the road and what each driver was doing, we can't draw conclusions. But it’s fair to say that getting those answers will take more than just reviewing a police report. It will require access to hard evidence: video, digital records and the truck driver’s background.

Key Takeaways:

• It's not yet clear which vehicle crossed the center line in this head-on crash, and that makes all the difference in assessing fault.
• In-cab cameras, cell phone records and black box data will be key to understanding what caused the crash.
• The trucking company’s hiring and training practices may be relevant if the truck driver turns out to be at fault.
• Early assumptions about who’s responsible can be misleading. Only a thorough investigation can determine the truth.
• Real accountability requires not just identifying errors, but examining how they happened and who allowed them.