Austin, Texas – A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following a deadly crash on a Texas highway in which an 18-wheeler driver allegedly distracted by his cellphone slammed into a passenger car, killing four women. Newly released dashcam and bystander video are now at the center of the civil case, which accuses the truck driver and multiple companies of extreme negligence.
Incident Details
The fatal crash occurred on Nov. 5, 2025, as four women were traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 87 in a Nissan Altima that had slowed due to a flat tire. According to the lawsuit, a tractor-trailer struck the vehicle from behind at high speed, causing catastrophic damage and ultimately claiming all four lives.
The driver of the truck, Guadalupe Villarreal, is accused of distracted driving, with attorneys for the victims’ families alleging his cellphone was the likely source of distraction at the time of impact.
Victims Identified
The women killed in the crash were identified as:
- Lakeisha Brown
- Breanna Brantley
- Myunique Johnson
- Taylor White
Attorneys said all four were inside the Altima when it was rear-ended, launching the vehicle across multiple lanes of traffic.
Timeline of Events
According to court filings:
- The Altima was traveling in the right lane at a reduced speed because of a flat tire
- Villarreal approached from behind while hauling a load of potatoes
- The truck failed to slow down or take evasive action
- The collision caused the Nissan to be thrown into the median
- The tractor-trailer overturned after impact
Video from a passing vehicle reportedly captures both the moments before and immediately after the crash.
“They’re driving on a flat,” one person can be heard saying on the video.
“No!” another screams as the crash unfolds.
Details From the Lawsuit
The 26-page legal complaint accuses Villarreal of:
- Failing to control speed
- Driving inattentively
- Failing to take evasive action
- Using a handheld mobile device while driving
“Preliminary evidence shows that Villarreal was distracted and the likely source of that distraction is his mobile phone,” the complaint alleges.
The lawsuit names Villarreal, Parkway Transport, and Scrappy Trucking as defendants. Villarreal was employed by Parkway Transport, which attorneys say is wholly owned by H-E-B, the grocery company that hired the trucking operation to transport goods.
Official Findings and Criminal Status
An official crash report filed by the Texas Department of Transportation states that Villarreal “failed to control speed.”
As of now:
- No criminal charges have been filed
- The case remains a civil wrongful death lawsuit
The families’ attorneys have requested a court order to preserve and inspect Villarreal’s cellphone and any other mobile communication devices to determine whether he was texting or talking at the time of the crash.
Witness Accounts and Video Evidence
The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of video evidence, including dashcam footage and bystander recordings that allegedly show the truck was a significant distance behind the Altima before impact.
“Oh, f—! Call the police, call the police,” a witness can be heard shouting after the collision.
Attorneys say the Nissan ultimately came to rest facing north in the median, while the overturned truck landed nearby.
Impact and Suffering Alleged
The complaint further alleges that the women did not die immediately.
“Before dying, decedents endured extreme conscious physical pain, suffering and mental anguish,” the lawsuit states.
Families are seeking unspecified monetary damages for:
- Mental anguish
- Pecuniary losses
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of a crash the families say was entirely preventable. As the case moves forward, video evidence and cellphone records are expected to play a central role in determining liability and accountability.
Have you witnessed distracted driving on highways, or have concerns about commercial vehicle safety? Share your experiences in the comments below.
