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ABILENE, Texas – A witness who was on the phone with 911 reported seeing a red truck driver lose control and crash into a stationary vehicle at a stop sign in Abilene, according to a statement released Wednesday.
The incident occurred on April 3, 2025, at the intersection of North 16th Street and Treadaway Boulevard. The witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said they contacted emergency dispatchers after noticing the driver of the red truck struggling to keep the vehicle in its lane. The truck nearly struck a street sign moments before the collision.
“I was telling the operator that this guy was all over the road, and then I heard the crash,” the witness told investigators.
The red truck slammed into a gray car that was stopped at the stop sign. The impact pushed the gray car several feet. A passenger in the gray car was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. The driver of the gray car and the truck driver were not injured.
Abilene Police Department spokesperson Officer Lisa Hart confirmed that the crash is under active investigation. “We are looking into possible contributing factors, including impairment, distraction, and vehicle maintenance,” Hart said. “We encourage anyone with additional information or dashcam footage to come forward.”
Records show that the intersection of North 16th Street and Treadaway Boulevard has been the site of three other crashes in the past two years, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Traffic safety experts note that stop signs at that intersection are sometimes obscured by overgrown vegetation, though city officials said they were unaware of any recent complaints.
“Even a momentary lapse of attention can lead to a serious crash,” said Dr. Mark Rivera, a transportation safety researcher at Texas Tech University. “Witness accounts like this one are crucial for understanding what happened before impact.”
The Abilene police urge drivers to remain vigilant and report any erratic driving behavior by calling 911. The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been filed at this time.
As of Thursday, the injured passenger remains in stable condition. The red truck has been impounded for mechanical inspection. Traffic on North 16th Street was disrupted for about two hours while crews cleared the scene.
Local residents expressed concern about safety at the intersection. “I’ve seen near misses here before,” said Maria Torres, who lives nearby. “I hope the city does something to make it safer.”
The Abilene City Council is expected to discuss traffic safety measures at its next meeting, including possible improvements to signage and lighting at high-risk intersections.
In the meantime, the witness who reported the incident hopes their call helped prevent even greater harm. “I’m just glad no one was killed,” they said.
