Teen Boy Falls From Moving Truck Bed, Dies on the East Side

According to a KSAT News report, a teen boy riding in a pickup truck bed died after falling out.

Police reported the accident happened at around 5:10 p.m. Sunday, May 25th, at the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex in the 1000 block of Upland Drive on San Antonio’s East Side. The driver was a juvenile female of unknown age and was driving the pickup with four other teens in the truck bed. One teen, a 15-year-old boy, fell out while the truck was moving. The driver called 9-1-1 and remained at the scene until EMS arrived, but reportedly left before police could take a statement. The boy who fell was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Police found the vehicle, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Did You Know?

55 people died in car accidents in Texas during Memorial Day Weekend last year, making it the second-deadliest holiday for traffic fatalities in the state, according to TxDOT crash data.

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Riding In Truck Beds: Legality, Safety, and What To Do If Someone Gets Hurt

Riding in a truck bed is pretty common in Texas, especially over holiday weekends when family and friends get together.

Many people are unsure if riding in a truck bed is legal. For those over 18, there are no laws restricting passengers from riding in a truck bed. Minors (anyone under 18 years old) are not allowed to ride in the bed of a pickup unless:

• It is an emergency situation,
• The truck bed is being used in an official parade capacity,
• The truck is driving on a beach,
• The minor is a farm worker being transported from one field to another on a farm-to-market or similar country road,
• The vehicle is the family’s sole mode of transportation.

Violation of this law is a misdemeanor, and depending on the situation, the driver can be charged between $25 and $250.

However, an officer may deem the activity reckless or dangerous, and the driver may be charged with reckless endangerment or a similar charge even if the passengers are adults. Similarly, an officer may charge a driver with child endangerment in addition to the misdemeanor if they are caught transporting a minor in a truck bed illegally.

Is Riding in a Truck Bed Safe?

Just because it is legal to ride in a truck bed doesn’t mean that it’s safe.

Truck beds are made to transport items, not people. There are no seatbelts and little containment in a truck bed—if the driver is forced to stop or turn suddenly, passengers are at extreme risk of falling out.

Additionally, if the driver is involved in an accident, the passengers in the truck bed have no protection and are at extreme risk of injury and death, even if the accident is minor.

What to Do If a Passenger Falls Out of a Truck Bed and Gets Hurt?

If a passenger is hurt while riding in a truck bed:

1. Call 9-1-1 — You are legally required to report the accident to the police if ANYONE is injured. Even if others protest, call the police anyway.
2. Remain at the Scene — Do not try to take the passenger to the hospital unless instructed to do so by the dispatcher. Wait for EMS to arrive and follow all of their instructions.
3. Document the Scene — After seeking medical attention, take photos and/or videos of the scene and any visible injuries.
4. Report the Accident — ASAP, report the accident to your insurance. Both the driver and the injured passenger should do this.
5. Talk to a Lawyer

Passengers have the right to seek compensation if they’re hurt in an accident that wasn’t their fault. However, getting compensation after being injured while riding in a truck bed can be tricky—it’s essential to have a lawyer on your side to ensure you aren’t cheated out of what is legally owed to you.

Injured While Riding in a Truck Bed? Call Shaw!

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident as a passenger anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Surgeries,
• Medical Bills,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Missed Work,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced passenger injury lawyer. There are no fees and no obligations attached—just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.

We look forward to serving you.

 

¹KSAT Report

²TxDOT Crash Data