Wave of Fatal Accidents in August Highlights Risks on Texas Highways

August is the most dangerous month for driving in the United States. This statistic is borne out of a series of fatal accidents that occurred on Texas’ highways last month. Over the course of less than two weeks, four accidents that made local headlines took 12 lives and left several other victims suffering from serious injuries.

Five Killed in Fiery Accident in Greenville, TX

On August 7, a group of teenagers were on their way to attend a video game convention in Austin when their SUV was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The oncoming vehicle belonged to 78-year-old Kenneth Frazier, who accident investigators say was driving in the wrong lane. After the two passenger vehicles collided, they were then struck by an 18-wheeler that was unable to avoid the wreck. Frazier and three of the teenagers were killed, and the other two teens suffered serious injuries.

SUV Roll-Over Crash in Caldwell County Results in Five Deaths

On August 13, five people died in an SUV roll-over accident in Caldwell County. The occupants of the SUV were all family members and in addition to the tragic deaths, two of the four children who survived are facing life-threatening injuries.

While police were still trying to determine how fast the SUV was traveling at the time of the accident, the speed limit in the area is 85 miles per hour. This is a limit that Mustang Ridge Police Chief Michael Rodriguez says is, “way too fast for certain vehicles.”

In addition to speed being a potential factor, police investigators said that the accident appears to have been caused by a tire blowout. If this is, in fact, the case, the victims’ surviving family members may have a defective product claim against the tire manufacturer.

Motorcycle Rider Killed on I-35 Near Kyle, TX

The next day, a motorcyclist was killed after being hit by a car on I-35 southbound near Kyle. Police reports indicate that the rider, 49-year-old James Grear, lost control after the car hit him while swerving or attempting to change lanes. After the collision, Grear collided with a concrete highway divider and was ejected into the northbound lanes.

Two Dead in Head-On Collision in Austin

Finally, on August 19, a 23-year-old woman out celebrating her birthday drove into oncoming traffic on I-35 in Austin, causing a fatal head-on collision. The 26-year-old driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, and the woman succumbed to her injuries the next day. The driver, whose blood alcohol content (BAC) was measured at 0.17 percent, is being charged with intoxication manslaughter.

As reported by KVUE, this was the 65th fatal accident in Austin so far this year – already surpassing the total of 55 fatal crashes in the area in all of 2014.

Morrow & Sheppard LLP | Houston Accident Lawyers

At Morrow & Sheppard LLP, we provide vigorous representation for family members who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents. With offices in Houston, we are available to handle claims throughout Texas. To speak with an experienced attorney about your case, call (800) 489-2216 or request a free consultation online today.