Tyler texas fatal car accident yesterday

About five seconds before the wreck, the crash report states Esparza “floored” the accelerator.

TYLER, Texas — A Tyler man accused of driving at speeds of over 100 mph when his car collided with a truck causing the death of his passenger in October has been indicted on a manslaughter charge. 

Jose Manuel Esparza, 24, was indicted on April 28 in connection with the Oct. 14, 2021 wreck that lead to the death of Pablo Avila. 

Esparza was arrested Nov. 5 and released the same day on a $10,000 bond, according to Smith County Jail records.

According to the arrest affidavit, the wreck occurred in the 2200 block of the W SW Loop 323 and left Avila in critical condition. The detective was told Avila would most likely die.

The detective noticed a black Corvette that was almost “unrecognizable due to the severity of the damage” facing south on the shoulder of the Loop’s eastbound lanes. A white pickup was in the median facing east, and a white car was in the grass in front of Mercados.

In the affidavit, the officer said he was told the Corvette was traveling at a high rate of speed and ran into the back of the pickup, causing the truck to spin and stop in the median. The Corvette then went over the median into oncoming traffic and struck the white car that was moving east on the Loop.

According to the report, once the brakes were applied when the car was going 113 mph, it would’ve taken 600 feet for an average vehicle to stop. The affidavit also noted that the speed limit for that area is 50 mph.

The police document stated the driver of the Corvette, who was later identified as Esparza, was at fault. When the officer first went to the hospital, he learned Esparza had minor injuries, while Avila was in a trauma room and later admitted to the ICU.

On Oct. 16, the investigator was told Avila had died, the affidavit read. After reviewing the crash data report made by another officer, the detective saw the Corvette traveling over 100 mph as it neared the pickup and just two seconds before the crash.

About five seconds before the wreck, the crash report states Esparza “floored” the accelerator, which police said indicated the driver’s intent to travel at the high speed, the affidavit stated.

Esparza has an arraignment hearing scheduled for June 20 and a plea docket agreement set for July 6, according to court records. 

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Tyler, Texas Car Accident Attorneys

Truck, Car, and Motorcycle Wreck Attorneys

Car, truck and motorcycle crashes affect thousands of families and individuals in our state every year. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,071 people died in Texas traffic accidents in 2009. Of those fatalities, 426 were motorcycle riders. The (NHTSA) also shows that approximately 33,561 people died in traffic crashes in 2012 in the United States. Of that number, an estimated 10,322 people died in drunk driving crashes, accounting for 31% of all traffic deaths that year.

At Richards T Penn, our job is to deal with the insurance companies for you and hold negligent drivers (and their insurers) responsible for their actions. With over 80 years of experience, our lawyers have obtained substantial verdicts and settlements for those injured in car wrecks in Tyler, Texas.

If you or a loved one suffered serious or catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle accident, you may be able to seek financial compensation. At the East Texas law firm of Richards T Penn, LLP, we can investigate your case and see if your injuries may have been due to the carelessness or recklessness of the other driver. If so, we can help you pursue full and fair compensation for your losses.

Tyler texas fatal car accident yesterday

Compensation may be awarded for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Medical and hospital bills
  • The wrongful death of a breadwinner
  • Emotional trauma

As drivers on Tyler roads, we take for granted that everyone else is paying attention, not texting while driving or driving while distracted, and at a minimum following all of the "rules of the road." But it only takes a second for all of that to change. For us to realize that not everyone is paying attention. Some drivers are texting or browsing the web while driving. Others fall asleep. Others simply follow too closely or drive too quickly for them to avoid an accident. And in that second, everything changes.

Because of that other driver’s negligence, you and any passengers in your vehicle can end up severely injured and in need of medical care. Unfortunately, getting your medical bills paid and being compensated for your injuries and property damage is not always easy. Insurance companies are reluctant to pay the full amount of claims, especially when there is no attorney involved. They know that they can offer you a quick settlement that is probably more money than you thought you would receive. But if you take it, your case is over. And if you later learn, as is common, that your injuries are more substantial than they first appeared, you have lost your chance to have those medical bills paid by the person who is at fault – the person who should be paying for your medical bills….the negligent driver and his or her insurance company.

For the Best Results, Talk to Us Right Away

Most personal injury cases in Texas have a two-year window for filing a lawsuit, so it is important to engage the help of a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. In fatal semitrailer accidents and other crashes, it is also necessary to act quickly to preserve any evidence, such as skid marks, gouging in the road, talking to independent witnesses, and preserving the vehicle involved in the crash, which may become important in the case.

Serving fellow Texans since the late 1890s, our law firm is not only known for prompt and efficient action, but we also have the personnel and resources available to handle every aspect of your case. In addition to our experienced lawyers, our staff includes skilled professional investigators.

Whether you were rear-ended or someone crossed the center line and you were a victim in a head-on collision, whether you were involved in a situation where someone was texting while driving or driving while distracted or too tired, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries, lost work, property damages, future reduced employment opportunities, pain and suffering, and other expenses.

If the other driver has insurance, we can help you go after that insurance company to make sure that you are fairly treated. And if the other driver does not have insurance or does not have insurance that can cover all of your treatment, we can help you with your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to make sure that you are getting the best result possible.

Car Accident Case Results in Tyler, Texas

To get an idea of what types of car accident cases we have handled, click here.

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Arrange a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation with our Tyler, Texas car wreck lawyers. In addition, we get paid only if you do, so don't hesitate to call At Richards T Penn, LLP, at 903-586-2544. You can also contact us online.