Eastland County, TX — April 10, 2025, Terry Ammons was injured due to a single-car accident shortly before 11:00 p.m. along Farm to Market 2461.

According to authorities, 60-year-old Terry Ammons and a 63-year-old man were traveling in a northbound Ford F-350 pickup truck hauling a trailer on F.M. 2461 in the vicinity north of the County Road 566 intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the pickup truck failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It was consequently involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a fence. Ammons reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. The other man who had been traveling as a passenger in the pickup at the time was unhurt, reports state. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

When a heavy-duty truck pulling a trailer leaves its lane and crashes, the explanation is often kept to a simple “driver drifted.” But a crash that leaves one person badly hurt deserves more than a surface-level explanation. The real question is whether investigators will uncover why the Ford F-350 veered in the first place.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

A pickup hauling a trailer presents unique challenges in stability and handling. Investigators should be examining whether sway, trailer weight, or sudden steering inputs contributed to the loss of lane control. They should also be reviewing tire marks, impact angles, and whether braking was attempted before striking the fence. Unfortunately, single-vehicle incidents, especially in rural areas, don’t always get the full reconstruction they deserve—leaving the picture incomplete.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

With both a truck and a trailer involved, there are multiple points where a mechanical problem could occur. A hitch failure, trailer brake malfunction, or tire blowout could easily cause the rig to pull out of its lane. On the truck itself, steering, suspension, or braking issues could also be to blame. These aren’t the kinds of problems visible from a glance—they require a careful inspection. If the vehicles weren’t examined before being moved, the chance to uncover a defect may already have been lost.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

The Ford F-350 likely carries an event data recorder capable of showing speed, throttle, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before impact. That information could clarify whether the driver tried to correct course or if the truck didn’t respond properly. GPS history, trailer tracking data (if available), and nearby security cameras could provide further context. But digital evidence disappears quickly if not secured early in the investigation.

A crash like this is never just about the moment of impact—it’s about the chain of events leading up to it. Without pressing for a deeper look, important truths about what caused this loss of control could remain buried.

Takeaways:

• Trailer-hauling crashes need full reconstruction to evaluate stability and handling issues.
• Mechanical problems in the truck or trailer could have caused the veer from the lane.
• Onboard data and GPS tracking are key to understanding what really happened but must be gathered promptly.