Car accident in Van Horn, Texas

Published by Dunk Law Firm

Published:

A Saturday evening crash on Interstate 10 west near Van Horn, Texas, left a 21-year-old El Paso man dead, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Authorities identified him as Aaron Stephen Pepe. Reports say he was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu when it struck a semi-truck that had stopped because of construction.

DPS reported that the crash happened at about 5:57 p.m. near mile marker 181, roughly 41 miles east of Van Horn. The driver of the semi-truck did not report any injuries, according to the source.

Investigators believe Pepe "failed to control his speed," lost control of the car and hit the semi-truck, DPS said. That is a preliminary statement from authorities, and the full investigation may reveal more. The source does not describe the traffic controls in place, the condition of the roadway, the weather, or what other vehicles may have been nearby.

What Makes This Incident Different

This crash happened in a highway construction zone, and it involved a passenger car and a stopped semi-truck. Work zones on high-speed interstates can change how traffic moves. Lanes may narrow, vehicles may slow or stop with little notice, and drivers may have limited time to react. The source says only that the semi had stopped because of construction. It does not say how the work zone was set up or marked.

Crashes involving a large truck also tend to raise more complex questions than a typical two-car collision. More than one party may have records tied to the roadway, the work zone or the truck. Whether any of those records matter in this case depends on what the evidence shows.

Questions Investigators May Examine

The evidence will determine what caused this crash. Investigators may examine several questions, including:

  • How far ahead of the stopped semi-truck were warning signs, barrels, message boards or other traffic-control devices, and were they visible to approaching drivers?
  • Where was the semi-truck positioned in relation to the travel lanes, and why had it stopped?
  • What was the speed of the Malibu before impact, and how do physical evidence and vehicle data compare with the early DPS conclusion?
  • Were lighting, sun glare, weather, traffic volume or road surface factors in play at about 5:57 p.m.?
  • Who was responsible for setting up and maintaining the work zone, and what plans governed it?

These are open questions, not findings. The source does not report answers to any of them.

Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved

Evidence in a work-zone crash can disappear quickly as roads reopen and records are routinely overwritten. Categories of material that families may want to ask about or protect include:

  • The DPS crash report and any supplemental reports, diagrams or photographs
  • Dash camera, traffic camera or cell phone video from the area
  • Event data recorder information from the Chevrolet Malibu, if it can be retrieved
  • Electronic logging, GPS or other records from the semi-truck, if they exist
  • Work-zone traffic control plans, signage records and lane-closure schedules
  • Contracts or records identifying who was working on or managing the construction area
  • 911 call records and dispatch logs
  • The car's insurance policy information, and the vehicle itself in its current condition
  • Medical examiner or autopsy records and any funeral and related expense documentation

A family can send written preservation requests early so that relevant records are not lost. Do not repair, sell or release the vehicle until you have received guidance.

What Families Should Know

When a loved one dies in a crash in Texas, certain family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. Under state law, these are generally the surviving spouse, children and parents. An estate representative may also be able to pursue certain related claims. Whether any claim exists depends on the facts, and an early police conclusion about speed does not settle every legal question.

Texas generally applies a two-year deadline to wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits, though exceptions and different rules may apply, especially if a government entity is involved. Families should confirm the deadline for their specific situation as soon as possible.

Insurance questions can arise quickly. Insurers may ask for recorded statements or request documents early on. Families are not required to give a statement before understanding their rights. Texas also uses a proportionate responsibility system, in which a person's share of fault can reduce or bar recovery, so how the crash is described and documented can matter.

Deaths in construction zones and crashes involving large trucks can involve several insurers, contractors and agencies. Learning who is involved takes time and careful records requests.

How Dunk Law Firm Can Help

Dunk Law Firm represents families after fatal crashes and serious truck-related collisions across Texas. If you are connected to the crash near Van Horn, we can review what is publicly known, explain the options available to your family and send preservation requests for records tied to the roadway, the work zone and the vehicles. We can also speak with insurers on your behalf and help you understand the deadlines that apply.

If your family has questions about this crash or a similar one, contact Dunk Law Firm for a conversation about what comes next. Contacting the firm does not mean a claim exists, and the evidence will determine what options are available.

This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.