18-Wheeler Wrecks
Texas Woman Killed in Louisiana Crash With Two 18-Wheelers
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A Texas woman was killed Monday after a violent three-vehicle crash involving two commercial trucks in Scott, Louisiana, according to Louisiana State Police.
The crash happened shortly before 12 p.m. on August 10, 2026, on Louisiana Highway 93 near Rue Scholastique Road in Lafayette Parish. Louisiana State Police identified the woman as Michelle Yzquierdo, 51, of Baytown, Texas.
According to the preliminary investigation, Yzquierdo was driving a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica and attempting to turn left from Rue Scholastique Road onto LA 93. At the same time, a 2025 Kenworth pulling a flatbed trailer was traveling south on LA 93. Investigators said that, for reasons still under investigation, the Chrysler entered the Kenworth's path and was struck on the passenger side.
The impact caused the Chrysler to rotate in the roadway, where it was then struck again on the passenger side by a 1993 Peterbilt hauling a trailer loaded with sand that was traveling north on LA 93. Yzquierdo suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital, where she later died.
The Kenworth driver was not injured. The Peterbilt driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Louisiana State Police said all three drivers were properly restrained. Impairment was not suspected; the Kenworth driver voluntarily provided a breath sample showing no alcohol, while a routine toxicology sample was collected from the Peterbilt driver. The investigation remains ongoing.
Fatal Crashes Involving Two Commercial Trucks Require a Detailed Investigation
The preliminary crash sequence makes this collision particularly important from an accident-reconstruction standpoint.
The Chrysler was reportedly struck first by one commercial truck and then by a second commercial truck traveling in the opposite direction. Determining the forces involved in each collision and the precise movement of all three vehicles may require much more than reviewing the initial police report.
Potential evidence may include:
Electronic control module or “black box” data from both trucks
Dashcam video
GPS and telematics information
Electronic logging device records
Driver qualification files
Hours-of-service information
Dispatch communications
Tractor and trailer inspection records
Brake and tire maintenance records
Cargo and loading records
Photographs and measurements from the crash scene
Witness statements
Nearby business or roadway surveillance video
Commercial trucking evidence can be especially important because separate companies may own or operate the tractor, trailer, or cargo involved.
The Wooley Law Firm's 18-wheeler accident resources explain why serious commercial truck crashes often require investigation of the driver, trucking company, equipment, maintenance history, electronic records, and other evidence beyond what is found in an ordinary passenger-vehicle claim.
Why the Flatbed Trailer and Sand Trailer May Matter
The presence of two different commercial truck configurations may also create additional investigative issues.
A flatbed tractor-trailer and a truck hauling a trailer loaded with sand have different cargo, weight, braking, visibility, and handling considerations. Investigators may need to document the gross vehicle weight, cargo securement, braking systems, tires, trailer condition, and other equipment before either truck is repaired or returned to service.
That does not mean cargo or equipment problems caused this crash. Louisiana State Police has not made that finding. Rather, these are categories of evidence that may need to be preserved in any catastrophic collision involving loaded commercial vehicles.
The Wooley Law Firm has previously discussed similar evidence concerns following fatal crashes involving an SUV and an 18-wheeler. Every wreck is different, but collisions between passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks can require detailed reconstruction because of the substantial differences in vehicle size and weight.
Multiple Impacts Can Complicate Liability and Damages
In a three-vehicle collision involving two separate impacts, investigators may need to determine what injuries and vehicle damage resulted from each stage of the crash.
That can become important when several drivers, trucking companies, insurers, or other entities are involved.
Depending on the evidence, a civil investigation may examine:
The actions of each driver
Whether either commercial driver had sufficient time to react
Vehicle speed before each impact
Braking and evasive maneuvers
Sight distance and visibility
The design of the intersection
Whether either truck had mechanical problems
Whether any company safety practice contributed
The ownership and operation of each commercial vehicle
All potentially available insurance coverage
No conclusion about civil responsibility should be reached until those facts are investigated.
A Texas Family May Face an Out-of-State Wrongful Death Claim
This tragedy also presents an important issue because Yzquierdo was a Texas resident killed after a crash in Louisiana.
The fact that the deceased lived in Texas does not necessarily mean Texas wrongful-death law controls the claim. Because the collision happened in Louisiana, Louisiana law and potentially other choice-of-law issues may affect who may bring a claim, what damages may be available, where litigation may be filed, and what deadlines apply.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2 provides a wrongful-death cause of action when a person dies because of another's fault and identifies categories of surviving family members who may bring the action. Louisiana law also imposes specific time limits, making it important for families involved in interstate crashes to obtain advice based on the actual jurisdictions involved rather than assuming Texas deadlines apply.
The Wooley Law Firm provides additional information about fatal accident claims on its wrongful death attorney page. The firm represents injury victims and families throughout Texas, and interstate cases may require coordination with attorneys licensed in the state where the crash occurred.
Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crashes Require Every Collision to Be Examined
The Wooley Law Firm has previously reported on fatal multi-vehicle crashes where an initial impact led to additional collisions involving other vehicles.
These cases can be complicated because the first event may set a larger collision sequence in motion. Investigators must determine the timing, position, reaction time, speed, and conduct of each vehicle rather than treating the entire wreck as one single impact.
That is particularly important when commercial trucks are involved and multiple companies or insurers may possess relevant evidence.
Wrongful Death After a Fatal Commercial Truck Crash
The loss of a family member in a catastrophic truck collision is devastating. Families deserve a careful investigation into every vehicle and company involved and should not have to rely solely on conclusions drawn from preliminary crash information.
If your loved one was killed in a fatal 18-wheeler accident, multi-vehicle truck wreck, flatbed truck collision, commercial vehicle crash, or serious interstate accident, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation under the law applicable to the collision.
The Wooley Law Firm handles serious car and truck wreck matters and represents injury victims throughout Texas.
Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.
This article is based on preliminary information released by Louisiana State Police and reporting from KATC. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional or different facts may become available. Nothing in this article is intended to assign fault to Michelle Yzquierdo, either commercial driver, a trucking company, or any other party. Because this collision occurred outside Texas, the law governing any potential claim may differ from Texas law. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
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Read CommentaryDisclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Wooley Law monitors publicly available news sources and provides independent commentary on accident law and safety topics relevant to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Any summaries or references to news stories are based on publicly reported information and may not reflect the full facts of any case. Wooley Law is not affiliated with the individuals or parties mentioned unless explicitly stated. If you have been injured in an accident, please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific legal situation.
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