In a somber turn of events, two individuals have been charged following a deadly chain of crashes that occurred on Loop 410 in San Antonio. At around 2:15 a.m., near Loop 410 and Vance Jackson, a wrong-way collision led to the death of a Good Samaritan who had stopped to help, FOX San Antonio reports. The initial crash involved a 27-year-old driver, Rudy Orozco, who has since been charged with DWI after traveling in the wrong direction and striking another vehicle.
The tragic sequence continued when an individual exited their vehicle to assist and was struck by a second car, the impact ultimately proving fatal. The victim, a reputed Good Samaritan, was pronounced dead at the hospital according to the Castle Hills Police Department. Monika Jordan, the 27-year-old driver involved in the second collision has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, after which she was able to post a $75,000 bond and secure her release from jail, as cited by News 4 San Antonio.
With Texas roads witnessing 4,283 reported deaths in 2023, the moments that succeed an accident are pivotal, and the difference between life and death can hinge on swift and prudent action. Daniel Armbruster, Senior Public Affairs Specialist for AAA Texas, stressed the urgency of safety, stating, "You want to control the scene and, of course, safety has to always come first." He advised that in the event of a collision, the immediate priority should be to secure a safe location before any exchange of information takes place, as stated by FOX San Antonio.
Furthermore, Armbruster recommended that if no injuries are apparent and the vehicle remains operable, drivers should move to the nearest emergency lane, whether it be on the right or left. In circumstances where vehicles can't be driven, visibility becomes paramount, "If you can: turn on your hazard lights, set out warning flares or reflective triangles if it's safe to do so," Armbruster suggested. These measures are in line with the Texas Transportation Code which mandates that drivers are to clear the road if their car is still drivable, as per News 4 San Antonio.
