Groveton, Texas (August 29, 2025) — According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 287 east of Crockett sent both drivers to the hospital Friday afternoon.
Incident Details: The crash occurred at approximately 1:47 p.m. when a 2010 Peterbilt 388 towing a 2020 AOM trailer and a 2017 GMC Acadia were both traveling eastbound. Preliminary findings indicate the Peterbilt, driven by 61-year-old Darren Scurlock of Pennington, failed to control its speed and struck the GMC from behind as it slowed to make a left turn into a private driveway. The impact left both Scurlock and the GMC’s driver, 64-year-old Donna Trudia of Sulphur, Louisiana, with non-life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to CHI St. Luke’s in Lufkin for medical treatment.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the collision remains ongoing. Rear-end collisions often raise questions of negligence, especially when drivers fail to maintain a safe following distance or control their speed. Here, the DPS report points to speed control as a possible contributing factor.
Because one of the vehicles involved was a large commercial truck, additional layers of liability may apply. Commercial carriers and their insurers are subject to strict safety regulations, and it is common for personal injury attorneys to investigate whether driver fatigue, improper vehicle maintenance, or inadequate training played a role. These factors could broaden responsibility beyond the individual driver to include the trucking company.
If negligence is established, Darren and Donna may also have grounds for compensation through a semi truck accident claim to recover damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Even when injuries are reported as non-life-threatening, the long-term impact of such crashes should not be underestimated. Neck and back trauma, concussions, and other injuries frequently develop complications over time, sometimes requiring extended care.
Our thoughts are with Darren Scurlock and Donna Trudia as they recover from this crash.
Source: East Texas News