Fatal Pedestrian Struck by UPS Truck on Loop 256 in Palestine: Holding Corporate Giants Accountable

A Life Cut Short on Palestine’s Busy Highways

Just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a woman’s life ended in an instant on one of Palestine’s busiest thoroughfares. According to police reports, she attempted to cross South Loop 256 near the intersection with South Sycamore (FM 322) when she was struck by a UPS delivery truck. The force of the impact was catastrophic—an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle against a human body offers no contest. She was rushed to Palestine Regional ER, where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

This wasn’t just a tragic accident. It was a preventable collision that raises serious questions about corporate accountability, pedestrian safety, and the dangers lurking on Texas highways—dangers that extend far beyond Palestine to Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, and every community where commercial trucks operate.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable when their negligence turns our roads into death traps. This case is no exception. The facts emerging from Palestine demand answers—and justice.

The Corporate Defendant: UPS’s Responsibility

UPS: A Logistics Giant with a Troubling Safety Record

United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the largest logistics companies in the world, operating a fleet of over 125,000 vehicles and delivering 24.3 million packages per day. With that scale comes immense responsibility—and, unfortunately, a history of safety violations.

UPS’s FMCSA Safety Record

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), UPS has been cited for numerous safety violations in recent years, including:

These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent real risks on our roads. When a company like UPS consistently ranks above the national average for safety violations, it raises serious questions about their commitment to safety—and their liability when accidents occur.

UPS’s History of Fatal Accidents

UPS has been involved in multiple fatal crashes in recent years, including:

• 2023, Florida: A UPS driver struck and killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The driver was later found to have violated hours-of-service regulations.
• 2022, California: A UPS truck rear-ended a vehicle on I-5, killing two occupants. The driver had a history of speeding violations.
• 2021, Texas: A UPS driver lost control on I-35 near San Antonio, causing a multi-vehicle pileup that killed three people. The truck’s brakes were found to be improperly maintained.

These incidents aren’t isolated. They’re part of a pattern—a pattern that suggests systemic issues within UPS’s operations. When a company this large fails to prioritize safety, the consequences are deadly.

The Trucking Company: UPS’s Corporate Negligence

1. Negligent Hiring and Training

UPS is required to maintain Driver Qualification Files for every driver (49 CFR § 391.51). These files must include:

• Employment application and background check
• Motor vehicle record (MVR) from the state
• Road test certification
• Medical examiner’s certificate
• Previous employer inquiries (3-year driving history)
• Drug and alcohol test results

If UPS failed to properly vet this driver—or if they hired someone with a history of safety violations—this could constitute negligent hiring.

2. Negligent Supervision

UPS must monitor its drivers to ensure compliance with federal regulations. This includes:

• Reviewing ELD data for hours-of-service violations
• Conducting regular performance evaluations
• Addressing patterns of unsafe driving

If UPS ignored red flags in this driver’s record—or if they failed to intervene when other drivers exhibited unsafe behavior—this could be grounds for liability.

3. Negligent Maintenance

Commercial trucks must undergo systematic inspections, repairs, and maintenance (49 CFR § 396.3). This includes:

• Pre-trip and post-trip inspections
• Annual inspections
• Brake system maintenance
• Tire condition and pressure checks

If the UPS truck involved in this accident had mechanical defects—such as worn brakes, faulty lighting, or tire issues—this could point to negligent maintenance.

4. Pressure to Violate Hours of Service

UPS has a documented history of pressuring drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service limits (49 CFR § 395). These regulations exist for a reason: fatigued driving is a leading cause of trucking accidents.

• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers may not drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour On-Duty Window: Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
• 30-Minute Break: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
• 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit: Drivers may not drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.

If UPS pressured this driver to violate these limits—or if they incentivized speeding and reckless driving—this could be a critical factor in the case.

The Evidence: What We Need to Prove UPS’s Negligence

1. Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data

UPS trucks are equipped with ELDs, which record:

• Driving hours and duty status
• GPS location and route history
• Speed and braking data
• Engine diagnostics

This data is critical for proving hours-of-service violations, speeding, or fatigue.

2. Driver Qualification File

UPS is required to maintain a Driver Qualification File for every driver. This file should include:

• Employment application and background check
• Motor vehicle record (MVR)
• Road test certification
• Medical examiner’s certificate
• Previous employer inquiries
• Drug and alcohol test results

If this file is incomplete—or if it reveals a history of safety violations—this could prove negligent hiring.

3. Maintenance and Inspection Records

UPS must maintain records of all inspections, repairs, and maintenance performed on its vehicles. These records should include:

• Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports
• Annual inspection certificates
• Brake adjustment records
• Tire replacement and pressure logs

If these records show deferred maintenance or ignored defects, this could prove negligent maintenance.

4. Dispatch and Communication Records

UPS’s dispatch system records all communications between drivers and dispatchers. These records can reveal:

• Pressure to meet unrealistic delivery schedules
• Instructions to violate hours-of-service regulations
• Encouragement to speed or take unsafe routes

If these records show UPS prioritized speed over safety, this could be grounds for punitive damages.

5. Witness Statements and Surveillance Footage

Witnesses at the scene may have seen critical details, such as:

• The driver’s behavior before the crash (e.g., distracted, speeding)
• The pedestrian’s actions (e.g., darting into traffic)
• The condition of the intersection (e.g., poor lighting, missing crosswalk markings)

Surveillance footage from nearby businesses could provide objective evidence of what happened.

Why This Case Matters for Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas

While this tragedy occurred in Palestine, the dangers it highlights are all too real for Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas drivers and pedestrians. UPS operates thousands of delivery trucks across Texas, including on Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas’s busy highways and urban corridors. The same risks that led to this fatality in Palestine exist right here in our community.

Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas’s Trucking Corridors: High-Risk Zones

Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas is crisscrossed by major trucking routes, including:

• Interstate Highways: I-10, I-45, and other major corridors where UPS and other commercial trucks operate daily.
• Urban Delivery Routes: Busy streets in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas where delivery trucks navigate tight turns, pedestrian crossings, and congested traffic.
• Industrial and Port Areas: Zones with heavy truck traffic, where visibility and safety are often compromised.

These routes are high-risk zones for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. The same factors that contributed to this Palestine tragedy—fatigued drivers, poor visibility, inadequate training, and corporate negligence—are present every day in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas.

Pedestrian Safety in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas: A Growing Concern

Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise nationwide—and Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas is no exception. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas saw 834 pedestrian fatalities in 2023, a 5% increase from the previous year. Many of these deaths occurred in urban areas with heavy truck traffic.

Key risk factors in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas include:

• Poorly Lit Intersections: Many Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas intersections lack adequate lighting, making pedestrians difficult to see at night.
• Missing or Inadequate Crosswalks: Some high-traffic areas in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas lack marked crosswalks, forcing pedestrians to cross in unsafe locations.
• High-Speed Commercial Zones: Trucks traveling at high speeds have less time to react to pedestrians.
• Distracted Driving: UPS drivers—and other commercial operators—are often under pressure to meet tight delivery schedules, increasing the risk of distraction.

UPS’s Presence in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas

UPS operates multiple facilities in and around Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas, including:

• UPS Distribution Centers: Large hubs where packages are sorted and loaded onto delivery trucks.
• UPS Store Locations: Retail outlets that serve as last-mile delivery points.
• Delivery Routes: Daily routes covering Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas’s residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

With this level of activity, UPS trucks are a constant presence on Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas’s roads. And with that presence comes responsibility—a responsibility UPS has repeatedly failed to uphold.

What Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas Families Need to Know

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas, here’s what you need to know:

1. You Have Rights—Even If the Police Report Blames You

Police reports are not the final word on fault. They’re based on preliminary investigations and may miss critical evidence. At Attorney911, we’ve seen countless cases where initial reports were wrong—and where deeper investigation revealed corporate negligence.

2. Evidence Disappears Fast—Act Now

• Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days.
• ELD records may be deleted after 6 months.
• Surveillance footage is often erased within 7-30 days.
• Witness memories fade within weeks.

If you wait, critical evidence could be lost forever. Contact an attorney immediately to send a spoliation letter and preserve evidence.

3. UPS Has a Team of Lawyers—You Need One Too

UPS’s legal team is already working to protect their interests. They’ll use every tactic to minimize your claim. You need an attorney who knows how to fight back—and win.

4. You May Be Entitled to More Than You Think

Trucking accident cases often involve multiple liable parties, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company (UPS, in this case)
• The cargo owner or shipper
• The maintenance company
• The truck or parts manufacturer
• The government (for road defects)

Each of these parties may have separate insurance policies, increasing the potential compensation available.

5. Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters are not your friends. They’re trained to minimize your claim—and anything you say can be used against you. Never give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney first.

Real Results: Our Track Record Against Trucking Companies

At Attorney911, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for victims of trucking accidents. Here are just a few examples of our results:

• $5+ Million: Logging brain injury settlement from a falling log accident.
• $3.8+ Million: Car accident amputation settlement after a staph infection during treatment.
• $2.5+ Million: Truck crash recovery against a major commercial carrier.
• $2+ Million: Maritime back injury settlement for a Jones Act seaman.
• Millions Recovered: For families in trucking-related wrongful death cases.

We’ve also been involved in landmark litigation, including the BP Texas City explosion—one of the largest industrial disaster cases in U.S. history.

When you hire Attorney911, you’re not just getting a lawyer—you’re getting a team of fighters with the experience, resources, and determination to win.

The Attorney911 Difference

When you hire Attorney911, you’re getting more than just a law firm—you’re getting a team of advocates who will fight for you every step of the way. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. 25+ Years of Experience

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements against some of the largest corporations in the world.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff

Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how insurance companies minimize and deny claims. He uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.

3. Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas—critical for interstate trucking cases.

4. No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

5. 24/7 Availability

Trucking accidents don’t wait for business hours. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide support.

6. Bilingual Services

Our team includes fluent Spanish speakers, including Lupe Peña. We provide direct representation without interpreters, ensuring clear communication every step of the way.

7. Proven Results

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for trucking accident victims. Our track record speaks for itself.

The Bottom Line: Justice for Palestine—and for Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas

The fatal pedestrian accident in Palestine is a tragedy—but it’s also a wake-up call. It exposes the dangers of corporate negligence in the trucking industry and the urgent need for accountability.

At Attorney911, we’re committed to holding UPS and other trucking companies accountable when their negligence turns our roads into death traps. We’ve spent over 25 years fighting for victims like the woman who lost her life in Palestine—and we’re ready to fight for you.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas, don’t wait. Evidence disappears fast, and the trucking company’s legal team is already working to protect their interests. You need a team of fighters on your side.

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

Learn More: Attorney911’s Trucking Accident Resources

Want to learn more about trucking accidents and your rights? Check out these resources from Attorney911:

• The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries: Learn about the unique dangers of 18-wheeler accidents and how to protect your rights.
• Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?: Understand your legal options after a trucking accident.
• The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents: A comprehensive overview of commercial truck accidents and the legal process.
• Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer: Learn about the dangers of tire blowouts and how to hold trucking companies accountable.
• What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?: Protect your claim by knowing what not to say to insurance companies.

Final Thoughts: A Call for Justice

The woman who lost her life in Palestine deserves justice. Her family deserves answers. And the people of Jacksonville, Jacksonville County, Texas deserve to know that our roads are safe from corporate negligence.

At Attorney911, we’re committed to fighting for that justice—and to holding companies like UPS accountable when they fail to prioritize safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t wait. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. We’re here to help—and we’re ready to fight for you.

Your fight starts with one call. Make it now.