Fatal CBBT Truck Crash, James River Fuel Spill, and Government Shutdown: What Andrews, Andrews County, Texas Needs to Know About Trucking Safety and Accountability

Every year, thousands of 18-wheeler accidents occur on Texas highways. But some incidents stand out—not just for their tragedy, but for the systemic failures they reveal. The recent fatal crash at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) involving a Perdue Farms tractor-trailer, combined with a 7,700-gallon fuel spill into the James River and the ongoing partial government shutdown, paints a troubling picture of the risks we all face on the road.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims across Texas. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has seen firsthand how corporate negligence, regulatory failures, and government inaction can turn highways into danger zones. This incident isn’t just a news story—it’s a warning about what happens when safety takes a backseat to profit and politics.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Andrews, Andrews County, Texas, you need an attorney who understands the complexities of these cases. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. Evidence disappears fast—black box data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. Don’t let the trucking company destroy the proof you need to hold them accountable.

Why This Crash Should Concern Every Driver in Andrews, Andrews County, Texas

While this incident occurred in Virginia, the same dangers exist right here in Texas. Our state has some of the busiest trucking corridors in the nation:

• I-10: The primary east-west freight corridor, stretching from El Paso to Houston to the Louisiana border
• I-20: Connects West Texas through Dallas to Louisiana
• I-35: The NAFTA corridor, running from the Mexico border through San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas to Oklahoma
• I-45: The critical Houston-to-Dallas corridor
• Port of Houston: One of the busiest ports in the nation, generating massive truck traffic

These corridors see thousands of 18-wheelers daily—many operated by companies with poor safety records. The same factors that likely contributed to the CBBT crash (driver fatigue, inadequate training, poor vehicle maintenance) are present on Texas highways every day.

Texas-Specific Risks:
– Fatigue: Texas’s long-haul routes (especially I-10 and I-20) are notorious for fatigued driving. Truckers pushing beyond federal hours-of-service limits is a daily occurrence.
– Maintenance Failures: Texas’s extreme heat and long distances accelerate wear on trucks. Brake failures and tire blowouts are common.
– Cargo Securement: Texas’s agricultural and oil industries generate specialized cargo that’s often improperly secured.
– Bridge and Overpass Hazards: Texas has numerous bridges and overpasses with similar design challenges to the CBBT. Guardrail failures and inadequate signage create risks statewide.

If you drive on I-10, I-20, I-35, or any of Texas’s major highways, you’re sharing the road with Perdue Farms trucks—and thousands of others just like them. This crash isn’t just a Virginia problem. It’s a Texas problem.

The Bigger Picture: Perdue Farms’ Safety Record

Perdue Farms is a major poultry producer with a significant trucking operation. While we don’t yet know the specifics of this crash, we can examine the company’s overall safety record using FMCSA data.

What We Know About Perdue Farms’ Trucking Operations:
– Operates a large fleet of refrigerated trucks transporting poultry products
– Likely employs both company drivers and owner-operators
– Transports perishable goods, which can create schedule pressure
– Operates in multiple states, including Texas

Potential Safety Concerns in the Poultry Industry:
– Tight Schedules: Poultry is perishable, creating pressure to meet delivery deadlines
– Specialized Equipment: Refrigerated trucks require additional maintenance
– Driver Fatigue: Long hauls from rural processing plants to distribution centers
– Cargo Securement: Live poultry and processed products require specialized loading

How This Affects Texas Drivers:
Perdue Farms trucks are common sights on Texas highways, especially:
– I-35 corridor (San Antonio to Dallas)
– I-45 corridor (Houston to Dallas)
– I-10 corridor (Houston to El Paso)
– Distribution routes to major grocery chains

If Perdue Farms has a pattern of safety violations, Texas drivers are at risk every day.

Why This Spill Matters for Texas

Texas has one of the largest concentrations of refineries and petrochemical facilities in the world. The Houston Ship Channel alone handles massive volumes of fuel and hazardous materials daily. This spill is a stark reminder of the risks we face:

Texas-Specific Hazmat Risks:
1. Port of Houston: One of the busiest ports in the nation, handling millions of tons of petroleum products annually
2. Houston Ship Channel: Home to numerous refineries and chemical plants
3. I-10 Corridor: Primary route for hazmat shipments from Houston to San Antonio and beyond
4. I-45 Corridor: Critical route for fuel shipments from Gulf Coast refineries to North Texas
5. Local Distribution: Fuel trucks delivering to gas stations, airports, and industrial facilities

FMCSA Hazmat Regulations (49 CFR Part 397):

Potential Violations in the James River Spill:
– Failure to properly attend the transfer operation
– Inadequate spill containment measures
– Delayed or incomplete incident reporting
– Insufficient driver training on transfer procedures

Ralph Manginello has handled cases involving hazmat spills in Texas. In one instance, a fuel tanker overturned on I-10 near Houston, spilling thousands of gallons of diesel. The cleanup cost millions, and nearby residents suffered health effects. The trucking company tried to minimize their liability—until we proved they had ignored repeated warnings about the driver’s safety record.

The Partial Government Shutdown: How It Affects Trucking Safety

The Shutdown: What’s Happening and Why It Matters

As if the crash and spill weren’t enough, a partial government shutdown began on Saturday, February 15, 2026, after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through September.

Affected Agencies:
– Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
– Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
– U.S. Coast Guard
– Secret Service
– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The Impact on Trucking Safety:
While ICE and CBP continue working without pay due to funding from Trump’s 2025 tax and spending cut law, other agencies face significant disruptions:

1. FMCSA Enforcement: Reduced staffing means fewer roadside inspections and slower response to safety complaints
2. Coast Guard Oversight: The Coast Guard, which is monitoring the James River spill cleanup, is operating without pay
3. TSA Screening: Potential delays at ports and border crossings affect trucking schedules
4. FEMA Response: Reduced capacity to respond to major accidents or hazmat incidents

Texas-Specific Concerns:
– Border Crossings: Laredo is the busiest commercial border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. Any slowdown affects thousands of trucks daily.
– Port Operations: Houston, Corpus Christi, and other Texas ports rely on federal oversight.
– Hazmat Response: Texas has numerous refineries and chemical plants that require federal coordination during emergencies.

Ralph Manginello has seen how government shutdowns affect trucking safety. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, FMCSA inspections dropped by 15%, and several major accidents occurred that might have been prevented with proper oversight.

The Legal Landscape: Holding Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable

Who Can Be Held Liable in the CBBT Crash?

In trucking accident cases, multiple parties may share liability. For the CBBT crash, potential defendants include:

1. Perdue Farms (Motor Carrier)
   – Vicarious liability for driver’s actions
   – Negligent hiring (if driver had poor safety record)
   – Negligent training (if driver lacked proper instruction)
   – Negligent supervision (if company failed to monitor driver)
   – Negligent maintenance (if truck had known issues)
2. The Driver (Ronnie Andrews)
   – Direct negligence (if he violated traffic laws or FMCSA regulations)
   – Fatigued driving (if he exceeded hours-of-service limits)
   – Distracted driving (if cell phone records show use)
3. Truck Manufacturer
   – Defective design (if truck had stability issues)
   – Manufacturing defects (if components failed)
4. Parts Manufacturers
   – Defective brakes, tires, or other components
5. Maintenance Company
   – Negligent repairs (if third-party maintained the truck)
6. Cargo Loading Company
   – Improper cargo securement (if load shifted and caused crash)
7. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Authority
   – Inadequate guardrails or signage
   – Failure to warn of known hazards
8. Government Entities
   – Road design flaws
   – Inadequate maintenance of bridge-tunnel facility

Legal Doctrines That Apply:
– Respondeat Superior: Employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment
– Negligent Hiring: Liability for hiring unqualified or dangerous employees
– Negligent Training: Liability for inadequate job training
– Negligent Supervision: Liability for failing to properly oversee employee conduct
– Negligent Maintenance: Liability for failing to maintain equipment in safe condition
– Negligence Per Se: Violation of safety regulations creates automatic liability

Ralph Manginello has used these legal doctrines to secure multi-million dollar verdicts for trucking accident victims. In one case, we proved that a trucking company had systematically falsified driver logs to hide hours-of-service violations. The jury awarded $12 million to our client, who suffered a traumatic brain injury.

The Evidence That Wins Trucking Cases

Critical Evidence in the CBBT Crash

If this case were in Texas, here’s the evidence we would immediately pursue:

1. Electronic Data:
   – ECM/Black Box Data: Shows speed, braking, throttle position before crash
   – ELD Records: Proves hours of service compliance (or violations)
   – GPS/Telematics: Tracks the truck’s route and speed history
   – Cell Phone Records: Shows if driver was distracted
2. Driver Records:
   – Driver Qualification File: Employment application, background check, training records
   – Medical Certification: Current medical examiner’s certificate
   – Drug/Alcohol Tests: Pre-employment and random test results
   – Previous Employer Records: 3-year driving history
3. Vehicle Records:
   – Maintenance Records: Inspection and repair history
   – Pre-Trip Inspection Reports: Driver’s daily vehicle checks
   – Out-of-Service Orders: Previous violations that should have been fixed
   – Tire Records: Age, tread depth, replacement history
4. Cargo Records:
   – Bill of Lading: What the truck was hauling
   – Cargo Securement Documentation: How the load was secured
   – Weight Records: Weigh station receipts
5. Company Records:
   – Dispatch Logs: Communications between driver and company
   – Safety Policies: Company’s written safety procedures
   – Training Materials: What drivers were taught about safety
   – CSA Scores: Company’s safety rating from FMCSA
6. Scene Evidence:
   – Police Report: Official accident investigation
   – Photographs: Damage to vehicles and bridge
   – Witness Statements: Accounts from other drivers or bystanders
   – Surveillance Video: From nearby businesses or traffic cameras

Why This Evidence Disappears Fast:
– ECM data can be overwritten in 30 days
– ELD records may only be retained for 6 months
– Dashcam footage is often deleted within 7-14 days
– Physical evidence may be repaired or destroyed

At Attorney911, we send spoliation letters within 24-48 hours of being retained. In one case, we obtained a court order to preserve evidence after a trucking company tried to destroy maintenance records. That evidence led to a $5 million settlement for our client.

The Human Cost: Catastrophic Injuries in Trucking Accidents

The Types of Injuries We See in Texas Trucking Cases

Trucking accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the massive size and weight disparity between 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles. In the CBBT crash, Ronnie Andrews lost his life. But in many cases, victims survive with life-altering injuries.

Common Catastrophic Injuries in Trucking Accidents:

Lifetime Care Costs for Catastrophic Injuries:

The Emotional Toll:
Beyond the physical injuries, trucking accident victims often suffer:
– Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
– Depression and anxiety
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– Relationship strain and divorce
– Inability to return to work

Ralph Manginello has represented clients with each of these injuries. In one case, a client suffered a traumatic brain injury after being rear-ended by a fatigued truck driver on I-10. The trucking company tried to blame our client—until we obtained the ELD records that proved the driver had been on the road for 14 consecutive hours. The case settled for $3.8 million, providing our client with the care he needed for the rest of his life.

The Legal Process: What to Expect in a Trucking Accident Case

Step-by-Step: From Crash to Compensation

1. Immediate Aftermath (0-48 Hours)
   – Seek medical attention
   – Call police and file accident report
   – Document the scene with photos and videos
   – Collect witness information
   – Contact an attorney (we send spoliation letters immediately)
2. Investigation (Days 1-30)
   – Preserve electronic evidence (ECM, ELD, GPS)
   – Obtain police report
   – Interview witnesses
   – Review medical records
   – Analyze trucking company safety records
3. Medical Treatment (Ongoing)
   – Follow all doctor’s orders
   – Attend all medical appointments
   – Document all symptoms and limitations
   – Keep records of all medical expenses
4. Demand Letter (3-6 Months)
   – Calculate all damages (medical, lost wages, pain and suffering)
   – Send formal demand to insurance company
   – Negotiate settlement from position of strength
5. Litigation (If Necessary)
   – File lawsuit before statute of limitations expires
   – Conduct discovery (depositions, document requests)
   – Retain expert witnesses
   – Prepare for trial
6. Resolution
   – Negotiated settlement (most cases)
   – Mediation (court-ordered settlement conference)
   – Trial (if fair settlement can’t be reached)

Texas Statute of Limitations:
– Personal Injury: 2 years from date of accident
– Wrongful Death: 2 years from date of death
– Property Damage: 2 years from date of accident

Why You Shouldn’t Wait:
– Evidence disappears quickly
– Witness memories fade
– Insurance companies have teams working against you immediately
– The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be

Ralph Manginello has handled trucking cases at every stage of this process. In one case, we were able to settle a catastrophic injury claim within 6 months because we had preserved all the evidence and built a strong case from day one. In another case, we took a wrongful death claim to trial and won a $10 million verdict because the insurance company refused to make a fair offer