Distracted driving is being blamed for an accident on Sunday, June 2, on US 59 in Cleveland, that sent four males to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, authorities say.
A 2012 GMC pickup truck driven by Marlon Isaul Escoto Velasquez, 40, of Houston, and carrying three occupants had pulled onto the shoulder of the southbound lane of US 59 when it was struck in the rear by a 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Aliya Mahmud Alo, 53, of Katy.
“The driver of the 18-wheeler was distracted and trying to pick up a cell phone that had fallen when he veered from the roadway and struck the pickup truck that was parked on the shoulder,” said Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor for the Liberty County office of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Velasquez was critically injured and transported to Kingwood Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time, according to Willoughby. An 18-year-old passenger, Chris Rosales, of Houston, also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Kingwood Hospital. Two male teens were sitting in the backseat of the vehicle and suffered minor injuries. They also were transported to Kingwood Hospital.
Willoughby was unable to confirm reports at this time that both Velasquez and Rosales were outside of the vehicle when the crash happened.
He added that the crash serves as a reminder that distracted driving may result in terrible consequences.
“So many people aren’t paying attention while driving. They are preoccupied by their phones, navigation systems or their radios. This accident is a prime example of the consequences of distracted driving,” he said.
As for motorists who pull over onto the shoulders of highways and freeways, whether to check a load or because of mechanical issues with their vehicle, Willoughby stressed that getting off the roadway should be the first consideration.
“It’s always safer to pull off the main road onto a feeder if you can,” he said.