Jose Mexicano Killed in Howard County Truck Accident
The crash occurred when an oncoming tractor-trailer suffered a tire blowout and crossed the median
Jose Mexicano, 64, of McAllen, was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in Howard County on Friday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
An oncoming 2022 International tractor-trailer suffered a tire blowout, crossed the center median and crashed into two eastbound Kenworth semi-trucks, one of which was driven by Mexicano. Paramedics transported the McAllen resident to Midland Memorial Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.
The drivers of the other two commercial vehicles suffered minor injuries and were also taken to the hospital.
No charges have been filed.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 5,340 people were killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks nationwide in 2024.
Why did the tractor-trailer cross the median on Interstate 20?
Investigators are examining the tire blowout that caused the oncoming truck to lose control and veer into the eastbound lanes.
While the exact sequence of events is under review, families of victims like Mexicano often face significant challenges after a sudden loss.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Modern crash investigations rely on data recorders buried inside vehicles, capturing speed, braking, and steering input in the moments leading up to catastrophic impact. Recorded information often tells a story physical damage cannot reveal about how a tragedy unfolded."
"An attorney routinely works alongside forensic specialists to extract and interpret readings, translating technical numbers into evidence a jury can understand," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What role does commercial vehicle maintenance play in blowout crashes?
Bond has handled commercial vehicle cases across multiple jurisdictions and has observed recurring patterns in how these crashes unfold when maintenance protocols are bypassed.
Texas wrongful death statute
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Texas applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
"When heavy trucks are involved in fatal collisions, investigators examine maintenance logs to see if mechanical failures caused the impact," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney supports grieving families by hiring independent mechanics to inspect the vehicle, making sure critical evidence is documented before company insurance adjusters take control of the scene."