Texas AM Corps of Cadets Suffers a Tragedy

A collision involving an 18-wheeler and an SUV occurred on February 19, 2017. This wreck ultimately took the life of the driver of the SUV. Due to the severity of the damage, it was not until two days later that the driver’s body from the SUV was identified to be that of 20-year-old Alexander Jones. Mr. Jones was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and held the position of Command Sergeant Major for the Combined Aggie Band. He was also going to be the Commander for the Combined Aggie Band for 2018.

Current reports indicate that Mr. Jones was driving on Highway 21 when his SUV crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head on with an 18-wheeler. The collision left both vehicles engulfed in flames, requiring the Bryan Fire Department to respond and extinguish the fires. Mr. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the 18-wheeler was not seriously injured. The cause of Mr. Jones crossing into oncoming traffic currently is not clear. The accident remains under investigation.

This is not the only vehicle collision fatality to shake Aggieland. Earlier this month Ross Lightfoot died in an overnight accident in Bryan, Texas. His vehicle also crossed into oncoming traffic, and the cause is similarly unknown.

One potential cause for both of these tragic incidents is drowsy driving. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between the ages of 18-29 are much more likely to drive while drowsy compared to any other age groups. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013. More alarming is that these numbers could be underestimated and as many as 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy driving.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an automobile collision, please contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.