Stolen Truck Speeding 91 MPH in 55 MPH Zone Crashes in Colorado – What Arlington Drivers Need to Know

The Crash That Should Never Have Happened

It was just after 4 a.m. on a Wednesday morning when a stolen truck traveling at 91 mph in a 55 mph zone crashed into a light pole at the intersection of Santa Fe and Dartmouth Avenue in Englewood, Colorado. The impact was catastrophic. According to police reports, officers had attempted to stop the speeding truck, but as the driver tried to turn west onto Dartmouth Avenue, the vehicle missed the turn and struck the light pole.

The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. But here’s what makes this incident particularly alarming: the truck was stolen and had been driven into Arapahoe County before the crash.

This wasn’t just a case of reckless driving—it was a preventable disaster that raises serious questions about vehicle security, law enforcement response, and the dangers that stolen commercial vehicles pose to everyone on the road. And while this incident happened in Colorado, the same risks exist right here in Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas, where our highways and interstates see some of the heaviest truck traffic in the nation.

The Legal Fallout: Who’s Really Responsible?

When a stolen truck causes a crash, the legal landscape becomes complex. Multiple parties could share liability for the damages and injuries that result. Here’s who could be held accountable in a case like this:

1. The Thief (Driver)

The most obvious liable party is the driver who stole the truck and caused the crash. However, thieves are often judgment-proof—meaning they have no assets or insurance to cover the damages they cause. That’s why it’s critical to look beyond the driver to other potentially responsible parties.

2. The Truck’s Owner (If Negligent)

Under the legal doctrine of negligent entrustment, a vehicle owner can be held liable if they negligently allowed an unfit person to access their truck. In this case, if the truck’s owner failed to secure the vehicle properly—such as leaving keys in the ignition or failing to use anti-theft devices—they could share responsibility for the crash.

Key Question: Did the owner take reasonable steps to prevent theft?

3. The Trucking Company (If Applicable)

If the stolen truck was part of a commercial fleet, the trucking company could face liability under several legal theories:

• Negligent Security – Did the company fail to implement adequate security measures to prevent theft? This could include lack of surveillance, poor lighting at truck yards, or failure to use GPS tracking.
• Respondeat Superior – If the thief was an employee or had access to the truck through their employment, the company could be vicariously liable for the driver’s actions.
• Negligent Hiring/Supervision – If the company had a history of thefts or security breaches and failed to address them, they could be held accountable.

FMCSA Regulations at Play:
– 49 CFR § 392.7 – Requires pre-trip inspections to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. If the truck was stolen due to a security failure (e.g., broken locks, disabled alarms), this could indicate negligence.
– 49 CFR § 390.15 – Requires motor carriers to maintain records of accidents. If the company had prior incidents of stolen vehicles, this could support a pattern of negligence.

4. The Truck Manufacturer (If Defective)

If the truck had a defective security system—such as a faulty ignition lock or an easily bypassed alarm—the manufacturer could be liable under product liability laws. For example, if the thief was able to hotwire the truck due to a design flaw, the manufacturer might share responsibility.

5. Government Entities (If Road Design Played a Role)

In some cases, poor road design or inadequate signage can contribute to crashes. If the intersection where this crash occurred had a history of accidents or lacked proper warning signs, local or state government entities could be liable.

What This Means for Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas

Our Highways Are at Risk

Arlington is a major hub for trucking and logistics. Our city is home to distribution centers for Walmart, Amazon, and other retail giants, and our highways see heavy traffic from carriers like Werner Enterprises, J.B. Hunt, and Swift Transportation. This makes Arlington a prime target for cargo theft—and stolen trucks.

Key Corridors at Risk:
– I-30 – A major east-west route connecting Dallas to Fort Worth and beyond.
– I-20 – A critical freight corridor linking Arlington to the rest of Texas and the Southeast.
– I-820 – The loop around Fort Worth, heavily used by local and regional trucking.
– US-287 – A key route for trucks traveling north-south through Tarrant County.

Local Law Enforcement Challenges

The Englewood Police Department’s attempt to stop the stolen truck in this incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when pursuing high-speed commercial vehicles. Arlington and Tarrant County agencies face similar risks:

• High-Speed Pursuits Are Dangerous – A stolen 18-wheeler traveling at 90+ mph is nearly impossible to stop safely. Pursuits often end in crashes, putting officers and civilians at risk.
• Limited Resources – Police departments may not have the specialized equipment or training to safely intercept stolen trucks.
• Jurisdictional Issues – Stolen trucks often cross city and county lines, complicating law enforcement response.

What Can Be Done?

Preventing stolen truck crashes requires a multi-pronged approach involving trucking companies, law enforcement, and policymakers. Here’s what can be done to reduce the risk:

For Trucking Companies:

1. Improve Security Measures – Install GPS tracking, surveillance cameras, and anti-theft devices at truck yards and distribution centers.
2. Conduct Regular Security Audits – Identify vulnerabilities in vehicle storage and implement corrective actions.
3. Train Employees on Theft Prevention – Educate drivers and staff on how to secure vehicles and report suspicious activity.
4. Use Immobilization Technology – Devices that prevent trucks from being started without authorization can deter thieves.

For Law Enforcement:

1. Develop Safe Pursuit Protocols – Establish clear guidelines for when and how to pursue stolen commercial vehicles to minimize risk to the public.
2. Use Technology to Track Stolen Trucks – License plate readers, GPS tracking, and other tools can help locate stolen vehicles without high-speed chases.
3. Coordinate Across Jurisdictions – Stolen trucks often cross city and county lines. Regional cooperation is essential for effective response.

For Policymakers:

1. Strengthen Penalties for Truck Theft – Increase fines and jail time for stealing commercial vehicles to deter would-be thieves.
2. Mandate Anti-Theft Technology – Require trucking companies to install GPS tracking and immobilization devices on all commercial vehicles.
3. Fund Law Enforcement Training – Provide resources for police departments to train officers in safe pursuit techniques for commercial vehicles.

How Attorney911 Can Help

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies, manufacturers, and negligent parties accountable for crashes like the one in Englewood. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims of commercial vehicle accidents, and our team includes a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how trucking companies try to minimize claims.

Why Choose Us for Your Stolen Truck Crash Case?

1. We Understand the Unique Challenges of Stolen Truck Cases
   – These cases are complex, involving multiple liable parties and unique legal theories. We know how to investigate and build a strong case against all responsible defendants.

2. We Move Fast to Preserve Evidence
   – In stolen truck cases, evidence disappears quickly. We send spoliation letters immediately to preserve critical data, including:

   • ECM/Black Box Data – Shows the truck’s speed, braking, and other operational details.
   • GPS Tracking Records – Can prove the truck’s route and speed before the crash.
   • Surveillance Footage – From nearby businesses or truck yards.
   • Maintenance Records – To determine if the truck was properly secured.

3. We Have the Resources to Take on Big Corporations
   – Trucking companies and manufacturers have teams of lawyers and deep pockets. We have the experience, resources, and tenacity to fight for maximum compensation.

4. We Work on Contingency – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
   – We advance all costs of investigation and litigation. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

5. We’re Arlington’s Trucking Accident Lawyers
   – We know the local courts, judges, and highways. Our team is familiar with the unique risks faced by Arlington drivers, from I-30’s heavy truck traffic to the distribution centers along I-20.

The Bottom Line: Stolen Trucks Are a Preventable Danger

The crash in Englewood is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by stolen commercial vehicles. While this incident happened in Colorado, the same risks exist right here in Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas. Our highways are prime targets for cargo theft, and stolen trucks are often driven by untrained, reckless individuals who put everyone on the road at risk.

If you or a loved one is injured in a crash involving a stolen truck, you have legal rights. Multiple parties could share liability, including the truck’s owner, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer. Don’t let them off the hook.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent decades fighting for victims of trucking accidents. Our team, led by Ralph Manginello, has the experience, resources, and determination to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

Learn More About Trucking Accidents

For more information on trucking accidents and your legal rights, check out these resources from Attorney911:

• The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries – What to do if you’re injured in a trucking accident.
• Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck? – Your legal rights after a truck crash.
• The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents – Understanding liability in trucking cases.
• Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer – How tire failures cause catastrophic crashes.

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