Crash that severely injured a semi-truck driver in Texas on near mile marker 390 eastbound on I-20

Published by Dunk Law Firm

Published:

A semi-truck driver was seriously injured in a crash on eastbound I-20 in Abilene, Texas, according to reports. The incident happened near mile marker 390 at around 4:30 a.m. on a Friday. Police identified the driver as Carlos Alberto Cota and said he was found lying in the road next to his rig. Loved ones say he is hospitalized in intensive care.

Abilene Crime Stoppers is searching for a vehicle connected to the crash. A video shared on social media reportedly shows a vehicle described as a dually pulling a silver or white horse trailer driving away from the scene. Police consider it a "vehicle of interest" and say that, given the circumstances, the driver may not know the incident took place.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to identifying the driver. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip with Abilene Crime Stoppers at (325)676-8477 and reference case number 261-090149. The source does not say how the crash happened, and authorities have not been reported to have determined fault.

What Makes This Incident Different

This incident involves a semi-truck driver who was seriously injured, and a vehicle that reportedly left the area. Because the vehicle has not been identified, a central question is who was driving it and how it was connected to the crash. Police have described it only as a vehicle of interest. That is not a finding of fault.

A crash that happens in the early morning hours on an interstate can also leave few witnesses. Video and tips from the public may therefore matter more than usual.

Questions Investigators May Examine

  • Investigators may examine how the dually and trailer were connected to the crash and where the vehicle went afterward.
  • Records may help clarify the position of the semi-truck and the driver at the time of the crash, and how he came to be in the roadway.
  • Video, including the social media clip, may help show the sequence of events if it can be verified.
  • The evidence will determine whether other vehicles or road conditions played any role. The source does not report any.
  • If the vehicle is identified, investigators may look at who was driving it and who owned it.

Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved

  • Original video files and any copies of footage, including the social media video, with information on when and where they were recorded
  • Traffic or business cameras along I-20 near mile marker 390 that may have recorded the area, since some systems overwrite footage quickly
  • The police report and the case number
  • The semi-truck, its onboard electronic data, and any dash camera footage, if available
  • Driver logs, dispatch records, and trip information if the driver was working at the time
  • Medical records and bills from the hospital, including intensive care treatment
  • Photos of the scene, the vehicles, and any visible damage
  • Names and contact details for witnesses or anyone who saw the vehicle

What Families Should Know

After a serious injury, families often face urgent medical decisions at the same time as questions about income, bills, and insurance. In Texas, personal injury claims generally must be filed within a limited period, often two years from the date of injury, and different rules can apply in some situations. Acting early helps protect evidence.

When the other driver has not been identified, insurance questions can be more complicated. Depending on the circumstances, a driver's own policy, an employer's coverage, or uninsured motorist coverage may be relevant. Whether any of them applies depends on facts that are not yet known. Families should be careful about giving recorded statements to insurers before they understand their rights.

If you have information about this crash, please share it with Abilene Crime Stoppers or police.

How Dunk Law Firm Can Help

If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck crash or a hit-and-run collision in Texas, Dunk Law Firm can review what happened, explain your options, and help preserve important evidence. We can look into who may be responsible, what insurance may be available, and what deadlines apply. Contact Dunk Law Firm for a conversation about your situation. Being injured does not guarantee a claim, but you deserve clear information.

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