Rio Hondo man killed in crash near Port of Harlingen
by Benjamin Treviño | February 7th, 2025 | 18 Wheelers, Fatal Crash, Recent News
The Texas Department of Public Safety reports an 88-year-old Rio Hondo man was killed when his vehicle crashed into a parked 18-wheeler near the Port of Harlingen.
A DPS news release states that the crash happened on FM 106 on December 28 at approximately 6:33 p.m. According to the statement, a white 2016 Peterbilt tanker truck was stationary while facing south on FM 106, waiting to make a left turn into a business.
“A black 2014 Cadillac SRX (one male driver) was traveling westbound on FM 106, approaching the Peterbilt,” the release stated. “For unknown reasons, the driver of the Cadillac failed to control speed and collided with the tanker trailer towed by the Peterbilt.
DPS identified the driver of the Cadillac as Robert Rufus Dickens. He was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center where he died of his injuries.
Safety tips for elderly drivers
Many adults like to drive well into their 80s and 90s, but changes do happen with age, and they can sometimes alter a person’s ability to drive safely. The J. Gonzalez Law firm urges everyone, young and old, to learn more about the factors that can affect driving as a person ages.
What can affect driving ability with age?
These are some of the common health conditions and medication side effects that can affect driving skills:
Stiff joints and muscles – Arthritis and weakened muscles can make it harder to turn the head, to look back, turn the steering wheel, and brake safely. If pain, stiffness, or arthritis seem to get in the way of your driving, talk with your doctor.
Eyesight – Everyone’s eyesight becomes less-clear as a person gets older. Eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, even some medicines, can affect eyesight. People 60 or older, should get a dilated eye exam every one to two years, and make sure their prescription glasses are up to date.
Hearing – The elderly also have a harder time noticing car horns, sirens, or even noises coming from their own car. The inability to hear well will greatly reduce reaction time. Have your hearing checked at least every three years after age 50.
How to improve your driving skills
The J. Gonzalez Law Firm urges elderly drivers to follow the following advice from the National Institutes of Health:
Have your driving skills checked by a driving rehabilitation specialist, occupational therapist, or other trained professional. The American Occupational Therapy Association has a database on where to find their services near you.
Take the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Road Wise Driver Course. The course is designed to help older adults adjust to age-related physical changes to extend their safe driving career.
Try an online self-assessment, such as this one from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to gauge your abilities.
Ask your family and friends for feedback about how you are driving, including any concerns they might have.
Contact J. Gonzalez
The elderly are not always to blame for traffic accidents. If you are elderly and you feel you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm today for a free no-obligation consultation. You can reach us via this website or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.
