Update (February 21, 2025): Authorities said the woman driving the Ford F-250 has been charged with manslaughter for her role in this accident.

Lubbock, TX — January 29, 2025, Virginia Castano-Marquez was killed and another person was injured in a truck accident at about 2:10 p.m. on eastbound U.S. Route 62/Idalou Road.

Authorities said a 2020 Ford F-250 pickup hauling a utility trailer crashed into a 2018 Acura RDX that had been parked on the shoulder. The impact carried both vehicles through a ditch onto County Road 6300, which is south of the highway.

Acura driver Virginia Castano-Marquez, 64, died in the crash, according to authorities. It is not clear at this time why the El Paso woman's car was parked beside the highway.

The pickup driver was hospitalized with minor injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash where a vehicle on the shoulder is struck and pushed off the road, my first question is, “Why did the moving vehicle leave its lane?” Many people assume that parked vehicles on the shoulder are always safe, but in my experience, these kinds of crashes often reveal deeper issues that require careful investigation.

One of the first things investigators should determine is why the Ford F-250 and its trailer veered onto the shoulder. Was the driver distracted or following too closely and swerved to avoid another vehicle? Did the trailer's weight or balance contribute to the loss of control? Utility trailers, especially if improperly loaded, can sway or create handling challenges that make it difficult for a driver to maintain their lane. Investigators should check whether the trailer’s load was properly secured and within safe weight limits.

At this stage, too little is known to determine exactly what led to this crash, but that’s why a full investigation is necessary. Looking beyond the immediate impact will be key to understanding how this crash happened, and providing the victim's family with answers to all of their questions about this crash.