Tragedy in Oberlin: Holding Trucking Companies Accountable After the Kulyn Manuel Hit-and-Run

The Allen Parish community is reeling after a devastating hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 14-year-old Kulyn Manuel. This heartbreaking incident didn’t just take a young life—it exposed the dangerous reality of trucking industry practices that prioritize speed over safety on our highways.

At Attorney911, we’ve seen this pattern too many times. Trucking companies push drivers to meet impossible deadlines, ignore safety regulations, and then abandon victims when tragedy strikes. Today, we’re breaking down exactly what happened in this case, why it happened, and how families like the Manuels can fight back against corporate negligence.

What Happened: The Oberlin Hit-and-Run That Changed Everything

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Kulyn Brooks Manuel—a 14-year-old eighth-grade student—was crossing a major highway on his electric bicycle near Oberlin, Louisiana. A white dually truck struck him, causing fatal injuries. Instead of stopping to render aid or call for help, the driver fled the scene.

This wasn’t just a tragic accident. It was a crime.

Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office and Crime Stoppers launched an immediate investigation. By Monday at noon, authorities located and arrested a 22-year-old man from Reeves. He was charged with hit-and-run and transported to the Allen Parish Jail. Investigators continue gathering evidence about the crash.

Here’s what we know so far:

Why Hit-and-Run Trucking Accidents Keep Happening

Hit-and-run accidents involving commercial trucks are becoming more common—and the reasons are deeply disturbing. Trucking companies create a culture where drivers feel pressured to flee accident scenes rather than face the consequences of their actions.

The Corporate Pressure Behind Hit-and-Runs

Truck drivers operate under intense pressure from their employers:

• Unrealistic delivery schedules force drivers to speed and skip mandatory rest breaks
• Financial penalties for late deliveries incentivize reckless driving
• Fear of job loss makes drivers panic when accidents occur
• Lack of accountability means companies rarely face consequences for unsafe practices

When an accident happens, drivers know their employer will blame them rather than take responsibility. Fleeing the scene becomes the “easier” option—even though it’s a felony.

The Statistics Don’t Lie

Hit-and-run crashes are a national epidemic:

• More than one hit-and-run occurs every minute on U.S. roads
• 688,000 hit-and-run crashes occurred annually in recent years (AAA Foundation)
• 20% of pedestrian fatalities involve hit-and-run drivers
• Commercial vehicles are involved in a disproportionate number of hit-and-run incidents

These aren’t just numbers. They represent families like the Manuels who are left with unanswered questions and overwhelming grief.

The Legal Battle Ahead: What the Manuel Family Can Do

The arrest of the driver is just the first step. The Manuel family has powerful legal options to hold all responsible parties accountable.

1. Criminal Prosecution Isn’t Enough

While the driver faces criminal charges, criminal cases focus on punishment—not compensation for the family. The Manuel family needs to pursue a civil wrongful death claim to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses incurred before Kulyn’s death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of future income Kulyn would have earned
• Loss of companionship for family members
• Pain and suffering Kulyn experienced before death
• Emotional distress suffered by the family

2. The Trucking Company Is Likely Liable

Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for their employees’ actions when those actions occur within the scope of employment. This means the trucking company that employed the driver may be liable for:

• Negligent hiring – Did they check the driver’s background?
• Negligent training – Was the driver properly trained on safety procedures?
• Negligent supervision – Were they monitoring the driver’s hours and behavior?
• Negligent maintenance – Was the truck properly maintained?

We’ve seen this pattern before. In a landmark 2021 case, a Texas jury awarded $730 million against Landstar Ranger when a Navy propeller oversize load killed a 73-year-old woman. The jury found the company’s negligent practices directly contributed to the fatal crash.

3. The Hit-and-Run Itself Creates Liability

Fleeing the scene of an accident is more than just a crime—it’s evidence of consciousness of guilt. When drivers flee, it suggests they knew they were at fault and wanted to avoid responsibility.

This behavior can support claims for punitive damages, which are designed to punish particularly egregious conduct. In Louisiana, punitive damages are available when the defendant’s actions show gross negligence or willful misconduct.

FMCSA Violations That May Have Contributed

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial trucking operations. Violations of these regulations can prove negligence in civil cases.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

Truck drivers are limited in how long they can drive without rest:

Why This Matters: Fatigue is a factor in 31% of fatal truck crashes. If the driver violated hours of service rules, it could prove the trucking company prioritized profits over safety.

Driver Qualification Violations (49 CFR Part 391)

Trucking companies must maintain Driver Qualification Files containing:

• Employment application
• Motor vehicle record
• Road test certificate
• Medical examiner’s certificate
• Annual driving record review
• Previous employer inquiries
• Drug and alcohol test records

Missing or incomplete files can prove negligent hiring. We’ve seen cases where companies hired drivers with suspended licenses or failed to conduct proper background checks.

Vehicle Maintenance Violations (49 CFR Part 396)

Trucks must be systematically inspected and maintained. Key requirements:

• Pre-trip inspections – Drivers must inspect vehicles before each trip
• Post-trip reports – Drivers must report defects after each trip
• Annual inspections – Comprehensive inspection required yearly
• Maintenance records – Must be retained for 1 year

Potential Issues in This Case:
– Was the truck properly maintained?
– Were there known defects the company ignored?
– Did the driver conduct proper pre-trip inspections?

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data

Since 2017, most commercial trucks must use ELDs that record:

• Driving hours
• Duty status
• GPS location
• Vehicle speed
• Engine data

This data is critical evidence. It can prove:
– Whether the driver was speeding
– How long the driver had been on duty
– Whether breaks were taken as required
– The truck’s exact location at the time of the crash

Problem: ELD data can be overwritten or deleted within 30-180 days. The Manuel family needs to act immediately to preserve this evidence.

The Investigation: What Needs to Happen Now

The Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office is conducting a criminal investigation, but the family needs an independent civil investigation to build their wrongful death case.

Critical Evidence to Preserve

Immediate Steps the Family Should Take

1. Send a Spoliation Letter – Demand that the trucking company preserve all evidence
2. Subpoena ELD and ECM Data – Get the electronic records before they’re destroyed
3. Obtain the Driver Qualification File – Check for negligent hiring or training
4. Secure Maintenance Records – Look for deferred repairs or known defects
5. Canvass for Surveillance Video – Check nearby businesses for footage
6. Hire an Accident Reconstruction Expert – Determine exactly what happened
7. Consult a Wrongful Death Attorney – Protect the family’s legal rights

The Trucking Industry’s Culture of Impunity

This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a larger pattern of corporate negligence in the trucking industry.

How Trucking Companies Avoid Accountability

• Rapid-response teams arrive at accident scenes to protect the company’s interests
• Evidence destruction – Black box data gets overwritten, maintenance records disappear
• Lowball settlement offers – Insurance companies pressure families to accept quick payouts
• Blame-shifting – Companies blame drivers rather than taking responsibility
• Regulatory loopholes – Weak enforcement allows repeat offenders to stay on the road

Nuclear Verdicts: Juries Are Fighting Back

Juries are sending a clear message to the trucking industry through nuclear verdicts—massive awards that punish corporate negligence:

These verdicts show that juries are willing to hold trucking companies accountable when they prioritize profits over safety.

What This Means for Louisiana Families

While this tragedy occurred in Allen Parish, the same dangers exist across Louisiana. Our state’s highways are some of the most dangerous in the nation for trucking accidents.

Louisiana’s Trucking Corridors: High-Risk Zones

Louisiana’s Unique Legal Landscape

Louisiana has some of the most plaintiff-friendly laws in the country for trucking accident cases:

• 1-year statute of limitations – Families must act quickly
• Pure comparative fault – Even if the victim was partially at fault, the family can recover damages
• No cap on punitive damages – Juries can award unlimited punitive damages for gross negligence
• Strong wrongful death laws – Families can recover for loss of companionship and emotional distress

But there’s a catch: The 1-year statute of limitations means families have very little time to take legal action.

The Manuel Family’s Legal Options

The Manuel family has several potential claims they can pursue:

1. Wrongful Death Claim

Louisiana law allows certain family members to bring wrongful death claims when a loved one is killed by another’s negligence. Potential plaintiffs include:

• Surviving spouse
• Children (including adult children)
• Parents (if no spouse or children)
• Siblings (if no spouse, children, or parents)
• Grandparents (if no closer relatives)

Damages Available:
– Economic damages – Medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income
– Non-economic damages – Loss of companionship, emotional distress, pain and suffering
– Punitive damages – If the driver’s conduct was particularly egregious

2. Survival Action

In addition to the wrongful death claim, Louisiana allows a survival action that compensates for the pain and suffering Kulyn experienced before his death.

3. Claims Against Multiple Defendants

The family can pursue claims against:

Why This Case Could Be Worth Millions

Trucking accident cases often result in substantial settlements and verdicts because:

1. Higher Insurance Limits – Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5 million in liability insurance
2. Catastrophic Injuries – Wrongful death cases command higher damages than minor injury cases
3. Corporate Deep Pockets – Trucking companies have substantial assets to pay judgments
4. Punitive Damages – Louisiana allows punitive damages for gross negligence
5. Jury Sympathy – Juries are often outraged by corporate negligence and hit-and-run behavior

Recent Louisiana Trucking Verdicts:
– $47 million – 2024 Cherokee County wrongful death
– $21.6 million – 2023 I-285 crash
– Multiple 7-figure settlements for families in similar cases

What the Manuel Family Should Do Next

The family is grieving, and that’s completely understandable. But the legal clock is ticking. Here’s what they should do immediately:

Step 1: Preserve Evidence

• Send spoliation letters to the trucking company and all potential defendants
• Demand preservation of ELD data, maintenance records, and driver files
• Subpoena cell phone records to check for distraction
• Canvass for surveillance video from nearby businesses

Step 2: Conduct an Independent Investigation

• Hire an accident reconstruction expert to determine exactly what happened
• Obtain the police report and any witness statements
• Review the driver’s background for previous violations
• Inspect the truck for maintenance issues or defects

Step 3: Consult with a Wrongful Death Attorney

The family needs an attorney who:

✅ Has experience with trucking accident cases
✅ Understands FMCSA regulations
✅ Knows how to preserve critical evidence
✅ Has a track record of multi-million dollar verdicts
✅ Offers contingency fee representation (no fee unless they win)

How Attorney911 Can Help

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for trucking accident victims for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts against some of the largest trucking companies in America.

Our Approach to Trucking Cases

1. Immediate Action – We send spoliation letters within 24 hours to preserve evidence
2. Comprehensive Investigation – We subpoena ELD data, maintenance records, and driver files
3. Expert Analysis – We work with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals
4. Aggressive Negotiation – We fight for maximum compensation from all liable parties
5. Trial-Ready Preparation – We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial

Why Choose Attorney911?

• 25+ years of experience fighting trucking companies
• Former insurance defense attorney on staff – we know their tactics
• Multi-million dollar verdicts in trucking cases
• Federal court admission – U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Contingency fee representation – you pay nothing unless we win
• Compassionate, personalized service – we treat clients like family

“They treated me like FAMILY, not just another case number.”
— Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client

The Bottom Line: Justice Is Possible

The death of Kulyn Manuel was preventable. If the trucking company had followed safety regulations, if the driver had taken proper breaks, if someone had stopped to help—this tragedy might never have happened.

The Manuel family deserves justice. They deserve compensation for their loss. And they deserve to know that the trucking industry will be held accountable so this doesn’t happen to another family.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. The trucking company has lawyers working to protect their interests. You need someone fighting for yours.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the first steps toward justice.

Time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly in trucking cases. Don’t wait—call us today.

The Final Word: You Deserve Justice

The death of Kulyn Manuel is a tragedy that never should have happened. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers posed by an industry that too often prioritizes profits over people.

At Attorney911, we believe that justice is possible. We’ve seen families like the Manuels hold trucking companies accountable. We’ve seen juries send a message that negligence has consequences. And we’ve seen victims recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you don’t have to face this alone. The trucking company has lawyers working to protect their interests. You need someone fighting for yours.

Ralph Manginello and our team are ready to help. We offer free consultations, work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win), and have the experience to take on the largest trucking companies.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The evidence won’t wait, and neither should you.