OCTOBER 6, 2016
LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS
A Baytown man was electrocuted when his dump truck hit overhead power lines Thursday morning in Liberty County. The incident happened around 9:45 a.m. near the intersection of CR 2108 and SH 105 near Moss Hill.
The driver is identified as Thomas Mendoza Jr., 25, of Baytown. He was electrocuted when he touched a portion of the truck.
Deputy Sheriff Zack Harkness said Mendoza and his father were at a small dump site off CR 2107 near Texas 105 in the Moss Hill area when Mendoza apparently raised the bed portion of his truck, striking high-powered electrical lines overhead, the news release said. Mendoza then touched the vehicle and grounded himself, causing his electrocution and setting the rear section of his truck on fire.
Witnesses saw Mendoza's father, who operates a family trucking business, drag his son away from the burning truck. CPR was administered, but to no avail. The victim was transported to Liberty Dayton Memorial Hospital in the city of Liberty, where he died.
Mendoza was taken to Liberty-Dayton Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
Jesse Gutierrez, who has been a truck driver for 20 years, says it is important for truck drivers to pay attention to what is overhead.
"You always have to pay attention to what is about you," he said.
Firefighters from Hardin Volunteer Fire Department worked to extinguish the blaze. Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Stephen Hebert conducted an inquest and has ordered an autopsy.
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From Liberty County Sheriff's Office:
Around 10:30 this morning, 25 year old truck driver Thomas Mendoza Jr. of Baytown was electrocuted when the bed of his dump truck struck high line wires just off CR 2107 near Hwy. 105 in the Moss Hill area of Liberty County.
According to Liberty County Deputy Zack Harkness, it appears that Mendoza and his father, who runs a family trucking business, were at a small dump site when Mendoza raised the bed portion of his truck striking high powered electrical lines that were directly over his truck. At some point, Mendoza touched the vehicle and grounded himself resulting in his electrocution and setting the rear portion of the truck on fire which completely destroyed the back of the truck.
Deputy Harkness said witnesses saw Mendoza’s father dragging him away from the burning truck and C.P.R was immediately started but to no avail. The victim was transported to the Liberty/Dayton Memorial Hospital in the City of Liberty where Mendoza expired. Pct. 1, Justice of the Peace Judge Stephen Hebert conducted the inquest and ordered an autopsy.