At least 11 killed in single truck crash in Texas

[Poll_Blind]

Source: CBS News

(CBS/AP) GOLIAD, Texas - Authorities say a pickup truck has crashed in South Texas, killing 11 people in the vehicle and injuring 12. All 23 passengers were in the same Ford F-250 truck, according to officials.

Louann Presas, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, says the crash occurred about 7 p.m. CDT Sunday near Berclair when the truck ran off the highway and crashed into some trees. The unincorporated community is about 100 miles southeast of San Antonio.

"The truck left the roadway and struck two very large trees," Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Gerald Bryant told CBS affiliate KENS in San Antonio.

According to Bryant, a total of 23 people of "a variety of ages," including some children, were in the vehicle. The victims have not yet been identified, he said.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57477542/at-least-11-killed-in-single-truck-crash-in-texas/

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You read that correctly. There were twenty-three passengers in a single F-250 truck. What a terrible tragedy and almost certainly one that could have been avoided.

PB

[TexasTowelie]

1. I know the area. That would be on US Highway 59 which is supposed to be upgraded to I-69.

The highway is known for trafficking illegal aliens from Laredo to Houston, so I wouldn't be surprised to receive more news to that effect.

The highway is single lane with no median separators and not well designed for high speeds due to blind curves over a couple of hilltops.

In addition, the highway has increased traffic due to the oil/gas industry because of the Eagle Ford shale play. Highway deaths and accidents have increased significantly throughout the region.

Cross-posting in Texas forum.

[Bucky]

13. I-69 is by no means a "done deal"

Several Texas Congressmen are quite aspirational about it, but there's also a lot of resistance in Congress to upgrading US-59 to interstate status. It goes through too many small towns to really fit the Interstate label.

By the way, there's lots of other reasons for people piling into pickups besides illegal immigration. It also has a lot to do with poverty and a large number of people getting by in Texas with day-work jobs. I think it's better to wait and see more about this one particular incident before drawing rash conclusions.

[TexasTowelie]

26. I never meant to imply that I-69 was a done deal.

US 59 was being considered as a likely route when they were doing studies. The portion of the route between Laredo and Victoria is sparsely populated and you don't arrive in the second town out of Laredo until you have driven over 100 miles. There was more concern with the intended route of the proposed interstate as it nears Houston and then through east Texas as the route takes a more northerly direction. I didn't keep up with any disputes regarding the proposed routes in other states.

I grew up in one of those small towns on US 59 about 50 miles from where the accident occurred so I'm aware of the smuggling incidents that occur in the area and thought of a similar incident that occurred not that far away a few years ago along with memories of seeing trucks packed to the brim following that route. While I was wrong to jump to the conclusion about illegal immigration, I will be surprised if we find out otherwise.

The truly sad news is that the death count has climbed to 14. Additional coverage indicates that the deceased were from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. ICE has opened an investigation as to whether any human smuggling is involved.

[aquart]

2. See? Almost as many as Holmes killed despite drivers' licenses.

So why are we making such a fuss about guns?

[AndyTiedye]

4. Transporting 25 People in the Back of a Pickup Truck is Already Illegal

[TheCruces]

9. So is shooting people

[bloomington-lib]

10. I would imagine, if it kept happening we would at least talk about how to stop it.

[AndyTiedye]

17. It Does, And We Are

but the NRA is the electoral equivalent of an irresistible force.

[drynberg]

11. HEY KIDS, HERE'S AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE

Of disregard and disrespect for the dead. AQUART's remark is just terrible and disgusting.

[L0oniX]

15. LOL ...dude ...it's called sarcasm with out the tag.

Another point can be made about irrational and disproportionate focus. While we focus on the latest local deaths others get killed that don't get near the attention. Example: what about all the latest dead people in Syria? Does the latest deaths here negate the importance of those dead over there? Sure looks like it to me. What's worse is the disaster economics surrounding the deaths where TV networks make money from ads while a tragedy unfolds ....that is what really is terrible and disgusting.

[WilliamPitt]

16. Wow

Please tell me you forgot the sarcasm tag.

[awoke_in_2003]

23. Good sarcasm...

doesn't need a tag.

[KamaAina]

19. Forget something?

Like this?

[Rowdyboy]

3. Another heartbreaking story way too soon after Aurora...my god let it end

How many more children?

[TexasTowelie]

5. Additional information from the local newspaper:

http://mysoutex.com/view/full_story_goliad/19530680/article-Twelve-die-in-one-vehicle-crash-in-Goliad-County?instance=goliad_news_lead_story

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. Crashes with numerous fatalities are overloaded vehicles.

Vans with 10 people in them for example. Driven by poor people who can't afford to maintain their vehicles and who overcrowd them.

[TexasTowelie]

7. TV Coverage. Warning: graphic photos.

http://www.kristv.com/full-coverage/multiple-deaths-in-goliad-county-crash/#!prettyPhoto/0/

[jmowreader]

8. How do you even get 21 people in the back of a pickup?

[Bucky]

12. Here's what an F-250 looks like

I'd guess they had 3 in the front, 5-6 in the back seats, and 12-13 in the bed. You see that all the time in Texas.

[snooper2]

14. From the picture of the truck in the crash it looks like just an extended cab

[4th law of robotics]

18. Terrible tragedy

and yet I'm not seeing anyone blaming the AAA or automotive industry or seeking a ban on trucks (even automatic ones).

[Kingofalldems]

22. Trucks aren't made to kill people

But I think you knew that.

And way to make a tragic auto accident about your precious guns.

[4th law of robotics]

27. A huge consolation to the victims I'm sure

they are only 10% dead since they were killed by something that wasn't meant to kill them.

Also every other thread in the GD has been about using the Aurora incident to push gun control. Are they using a tragic accident to push their own agenda?

Yeah, thought so.

[Tx4obama]

20. Kick! n/t

[happyslug]

21. More Local News report on the accident, including photos

Local TV report on the accident, including picture of the pickup:
http://www.kristv.com/news/goliad-county-truck-crash-death-toll-rises-to-14/


The above picture AND more from the Corpus Christi Caller Time:

http://www.caller.com/photos/galleries/2012/jul/23/deadly-crash/





The above site says the Photos were taken by the Texas Department of Public Safety (the Police).

[The Northerner]

24. I've been reading reports that the overloaded truck was

involved in human smuggling.

I can't believe that such recklessness occurred.

[TexasTowelie]

25. The death count has increased to 14.

It was also confirmed that the occupants of the vehicle were from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala and an investigation was begun by ICE to determine if they were smuggled into the country.

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/authorities-14-dead-after-truck-crashes-in-texas-2420738.html