37,000 LB Mack Tank Trcuk Meets Mini VanHighway 114 Near Rhome, Texas

It was July 2,2007 .5:15 pm. I was 30 minutes from my terminal in my empty tank truck, 2008 Mack CH600, empty weight is about 37,000 lbs, starting my pm shift. I was driving east on Texas highway 114, 5 miles east of Rhome, Texas. Traffic was very heavy. All of a sudden about 300 feet ahead of me, a Plymouth mini van came into my lane , both of us traveling 65 mph.

Thats what the truck driver behind the mini van said thier speed was. He also said the van never hit the brakes.I locked the brakes and tryed to veer right enough to miss him, but did not have enough room to avoid him.

We impacted on the middle of the shoulder stripe at an equal speed of 130mph. From the time he crossed the center stripe to impact was about 1.5 seconds. I only slid 50ft before imact. The imact was so great that it knocked my windsheild out and the cell phone that was on the dash of my truck was found in the mini van.The driver was dead before the van stopped.

Texas DPS said they believe he was looking through a cd case.I was given a u.a., and returned to work. Morbid as it maybe, people should see what a person looks like after this type of wreck. it might make them a lot more careful. Before this i had a perfect driving record of 18 years . I dont feel sorry for the driver, But i do feel for his wife and three kids. That has got to really tough to celebrate 4TH of July after losing your husband and father/son.