An 18-Wheeler Rear-Ended A Stranded Driver Causing Significant Injuries
A two-vehicle crash along the Katy Freeway in Houston over the weekend has left a woman seriously injured.
KHOU in Houston reports that the incident happened on the morning of June 28th. Commander Deese with the Houston Police Department’ Vehicular Crimes Division told reporters that dispatchers received a report of a stalled vehicle on Interstate 10 near Dairy Ashford, just after 9:00 a.m. A short time later, the status of the incident was upgraded to a major crash.
Just before police officers arrived at the scene to assist the stranded driver, a westbound 18-wheeler rear-ended the disabled Mercedes Benz. The impact of the big rig striking the smaller vehicle sent it forward approximately 30 to 40 yards.
Emergency crews were called to the scene to render aid to the female driver of the Mercedes. She was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with what Commander Deese described as “very significant injuries.” Officials say that the woman is expected to survive. She was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
While the Houston Police Department is treating the incident as an accident, the investigation is ongoing. According to Commander Deese, the driver of the 18-wheeler is in full cooperation with the police.
Investigators had a portion of the roadway closed until just before 4:00 p.m.
Sean Teare, Chief of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division, said in a statement investigators are looking at how long the Mercedes was stranded before being hit by the big rig. Factors including alcohol or substance impairment, driver distraction, line of sight before the crash, and other issues will be investigated before it is determined whether charges will be filed against the truck driver.
“In a case like this, as long as the victim does continue to stay alive, we could potentially at the highest be looking at a reckless aggravated assault,” Teare told reporters. He went on to say that if the victim took a turn for the worse and did not survive, those charges could be upgraded to manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.