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Hearne, Texas
HEARNE, Texas - A pre-dawn collision between two commercial tractor-trailers left both drivers dead Tuesday morning along Highway 6 in Robertson County, after severe mechanical troubles and unlit trailer lights triggered a violent rear-end impact.
The fatal crash occurred around 4:07 a.m. along northbound Highway 6 near Pin Oak Creek, roughly four miles south of Hearne. According to Sergeant Justin Ruiz of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), preliminary investigation findings indicate that a northbound Freightliner semi-truck experienced catastrophic mechanical and electrical failures. Investigators believe the Freightliner's trailer lights were entirely inoperable as the rig came to a complete stop or was moving at an extremely low speed directly in the active travel lane.
Moments later, a northbound 1999 Peterbilt tractor-trailer approached the disabled vehicle from behind. Deprived of operational taillights or visible hazards in the dark morning hours, the driver of the Peterbilt was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of the Freightliner’s trailer at highway speed.
The impact forced the Freightliner's trailer backward and directly upward into the cab of the trailing Peterbilt.
Emergency medical responders from Robertson County EMS and state troopers arriving at the scene confirmed that both commercial drivers died instantly from blunt force injuries.
DPS officials formally identified the victim in the lead Freightliner as 58-year-old Jose Lopez-Diaz of Hearne, Texas. The operator of the Peterbilt was identified as 41 year old Janson Angstadt of Navasota, Texas.
Authorities confirmed that both commercial trailers were empty at the time of the collision. No cargo spillage occurred, and hazardous materials response teams were not required at the scene.
The severe nature of the wreckage forced law enforcement to close Highway 6 completely in both directions between Cedar Loop and Old Hearne Road. Local traffic was detoured for over eight hours while heavy duty wreckers, accident reconstruction specialists, and highway cleanup crews cleared the scene.
TxDOT and local emergency crews successfully reopened all lanes of Highway 6 by 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is leading the ongoing investigation. Investigators are expected to review the Freightliner's mechanical inspection history, pre trip log records, and carrier compliance history to determine why the vehicle was operating on a public highway without functioning lighting systems.
