WATCH: Hay Bale Smashes Trucker’s Window On East Texas Highway

Giant Hay Bale Smashes Trucker's Window

On Thursday, January 18, an accident happened on a narrow stretch of Highway 7 in Houston County, just east of the Trinity River. A trucker was heading westbound and a pick up trailering several large round hay bales was going east.

They crossed paths in a construction area that had a concrete barrier blocking the shoulder of eastbound traffic, and there was no shoulder for westbound traffic.

This is What Happened Next

One of the overhanging hay bales slammed into the driver's side mirror which then smashed the trucker's window.

Thankfully, the worst of the outcome was some frazzled nerves, a busted window, and some cleanup. This could have been so much worse.

Hit & Run Controversy

The Southeast Texas Region of the Texas Department of Public Safety released the video and has asked for the public's help in identifying the driver of the white pick-up truck. The DPS is classifying this incident as a hit-and-run.

However, many people commenting on the DPS Facebook page are offering a different viewpoint.

One person said:

"hit and run is a bit much don’t ya think? I bet the guy hauling the hay didn’t even know he hit the trucks mirror. This road is obviously too narrow and very dangerous."

Another offered this opinion:

"I personally don’t think it’s fair to call this a hit & run for the guy pulling the hay bales. How would he have known this happened if it didn’t cause his truck to come off road or hit concrete barrier?"

Probably Best to Report to the Police

It looks like the driver of the pickup was hugging the barrier as much as he could. Then again, I don't know what the law is for how far the hay bale is allowed to extend to the side of the truck.

It's probably best for the driver hauling the hay to report as requested to the Crockett Highway Patrol Office and let them sort out the video and the details.