Driver Of A Hyundai Dies After Hydroplaning In Hill County
Hydroplaning is dangerous and often unexpected when it occurs to drivers. Also known as aquaplaning, hydroplaning happens when roads are wet, and a thin layer of water has built up between the surface of the road and the tires. With no contact between the road and the car, all steering and braking control is lost. The vehicle enters a skid and continues until the friction between the road and the vehicle is regained, or it collides with something else, causing an accident.
Any vehicle can potentially hydroplane if the conditions are right. Most hydroplaning accidents happen during heavy rainfall and traveling at higher rates of speed. KXXV in Dallas reports that this may have been what led to a hydroplaning accident that occurred on Monday in a fatal crash along IH 35 in Abbott.
Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety say that the crash happened at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6th, near mile marker 359 in Hill County. A Hyundai began to hydroplane, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The smaller car was then struck by a semi tractor-trailer rig that was also heading northbound on the highway.
Emergency crews pronounced the driver of the Hyundai dead at the scene of the crash. She has been identified as 27-year-old Sameena Muhammad-Thomas of Dallas.
The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured in the crash and was cooperating with law enforcement. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
DPS reports that the investigation of the accident is ongoing.
