Angelina County, TX — February 13, 2026, Vanessa Rowland was injured due to a truck accident at approximately 8:00 a.m. along U.S. Highway 69.

According to authorities, 34-year-old Vanessa Rowland was traveling in a Dodge Ram pickup truck on U.S. 69 at the F.M. 326 intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a Freightliner attempted a left turn onto F.M. 326 but purportedly failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. A collision consequently occurred between the Freightliner and the pickup truck.

Rowland reportedly sustained injuries of unknown severity, thought they were apparently not life-threatening. She was transported to an area medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment.

Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see a report that a commercial truck allegedly failed to yield while making a left turn, the first question I ask is simple: what did the truck driver see before committing to that turn? Left-turn collisions almost always come down to judgment, timing, and visibility.

It’s not clear how far away the pickup was when the Freightliner began its turn. We don’t yet know whether the truck had been waiting in the intersection, whether traffic conditions limited visibility, or whether the driver misjudged the speed of oncoming vehicles. Left turns across active highway lanes require precise timing, especially for large trucks that accelerate slowly and take longer to clear an intersection.

The size and weight of a tractor-trailer make these maneuvers more complex than they appear. A fully loaded truck needs more time and space to complete a turn. If the driver initiated the turn without sufficient clearance, that can create a situation where oncoming traffic has little opportunity to avoid a collision.

Investigators will need to determine the exact point of impact and vehicle positioning. Skid marks, debris patterns, and crush damage can show whether the pickup had time to brake or swerve. Engine control module data from the Freightliner should also be preserved. That data can reveal speed and throttle input during the turn, helping clarify whether the truck accelerated properly or hesitated mid-turn.

There are also broader questions that don’t appear in early reports. Was the intersection obstructed in any way? Were there sight-line limitations due to terrain, signage, or parked vehicles? Was the truck driver properly trained in managing left turns on busy highways? Those issues often shape how and why these crashes occur.

Left-turn failures to yield are frequently described in simple terms, but they depend on careful reconstruction of timing, distance, and driver decision-making. The answers will come from physical evidence, vehicle data, and a close look at what each driver could see in the seconds before impact.

Key Takeaways

• Left-turn crashes hinge on timing, visibility, and right-of-way.
• It’s unclear how much distance and time existed before the truck began its turn.
• Tractor-trailers require more space and acceleration time to clear intersections.
• Black box data can clarify speed and throttle input during the maneuver.
• Determining responsibility requires reconstructing sight lines and vehicle positioning.