Ian Lewis Died In Austin Hit-And-Run Tractor Trailer Truck Accident on the Interstate 35 Freeway
AUSTIN, TEXAS (September 2, 2022) – A 24-year-old pedestrian identified as Ian Lewis was killed in an Austin hit-and-run tractor-trailer truck accident on I-35.
Travis County officials are saying that the collision took place around 12:50 a.m. on Saturday August, 27. Ian Lewis was in the southbound lanes when he was struck by a semi-truck.
The truck driver did not stop to render aid and no description of the truck has been offered at this time. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
Sadly, Ian Lewis died due to the severity of his injuries. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Austin Hit-And-Run Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in hit-and-run collisions. According to Value Penguin, “the number of fatal hit-and-runs rose from 1,342 in 2010 to 1,939 in 2019 — the latest available data — after reaching a high point of 2,012 in 2016. During the same period, deaths increased 44% from 1,393 to 2,005.” Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable due to their small profile. There are a number of factors that can make semi-trucks particularly dangerous.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure pedestrians.
- Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles.
- Semi-trucks had a high center of gravity which can cause pedestrians to be pulled under the vehicle.
Semi-truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial driver’s license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. All truck drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code 545.351, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable and safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a driver fails to reduce their speed and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
It is a crime to flee the scene of any collision that results in bodily injury or death. Drivers must stop their vehicle after a collision and contact police. Many hit-and-run collisions are due to drivers that are not properly scanning the road ahead of them. Any driver that flees the scene of a pedestrian accident may face civil and criminal liability.
The company that a truck driver worked for could also be held at fault for a collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been transporting goods when they hit someone. There are a number of steps that should be taken after a hit-and-run collision.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Fragments of the fleeing truck should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any pedestrian killed in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Sadly, though, truck drivers will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so crucial that evidence is preserved. Evidence can paint a picture of what happened despite what any truck driver may claim.
Investigating An Austin Hit-And-Run Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ian Lewis. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. The truck driver responsible for this crash should do the right thing and turn themselves in. It is never too late to do the right thing.
Do you need more information about an Austin hit-and-run collision? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the information and support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need an investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
