Video shows big rig crash that killed four Houston-area friends in Texas Panhandle

Newly released video shows a November crash on U.S. 87 near Dalhart that killed four Houston-area women; families have filed a civil lawsuit naming the truck driver, two trucking companies and H-E-B, and the incident is being investigated as criminally negligent homicide.

Newly released video captures moments before a November crash on U.S. 87 near Dalhart in the Texas Panhandle that left four Houston-area women dead. Authorities report the women's car had slowed with a flat tire and hazard lights on when an 18-wheeler struck it from behind. The Texas Department of Public Safety states the truck driver failed to control his speed and the incident is being investigated as criminally negligent homicide. Families have since filed a civil lawsuit naming the truck driver, two trucking firms and H-E-B; H-E-B says the driver was a third‑party vendor and is cooperating with investigators. What is known: - The crash occurred on a wide stretch of U.S. 87 near Dalhart in November; the women's vehicle had slowed because of a flat tire, according to the Texas DPS report. - Video recorded from another vehicle shows a car passed the stopped vehicle safely while the 18-wheeler later struck the women's car from behind. - The driver named in the report is Guadalupe Daniel Villarreal, and the DPS statement says he failed to control his speed. - Families have filed a lawsuit alleging negligence against the driver, Parkway Transport Inc., Scrappy Trucking, and H-E-B; H-E-B has said the driver was a third‑party vendor and is cooperating with authorities. Summary: Officials report the truck failed to control its speed and four Houston-area women were killed when an 18-wheeler struck their car. The incident is under investigation as criminally negligent homicide and families have filed a civil lawsuit alleging negligence. Undetermined at this time.