Tyler Shivers Obituary, FORT WORTH, Texas — Tyler Shivers, 33, a Waste Management driver, died Wednesday after a trash truck drifted from its lane and crashed into an overpass support beam in Fort Worth, Texas.
A passenger in the truck was also injured in the collision and was rescued with the help of bystanders who rushed toward the damaged vehicle. Witnesses described a violent crash that caused significant damage to the overpass structure.
Marcus Hawkins, who witnessed the collision, said he saw the Waste Management truck begin drifting between lanes before striking a slope and crashing into the overpass support beam. Hawkins and another man used pocket knives to help free the occupants from the wreckage.
Another witness, Abby Zuñiga, said she felt a powerful vibration through her home and initially believed it was lightning or an approaching storm. After going outside and seeing the crash, she ran toward the truck to assist. Zuñiga said witnesses were concerned that the truck could catch fire or explode and that the damaged overpass might collapse.
Hawkins said he helped support Shivers and assisted with removing him from the damaged truck. Despite the efforts of witnesses and emergency responders, Shivers died as a result of the crash. Zuñiga said she realized the driver had died and covered him while waiting for emergency responders. She also said she spoke with the victims’ families at the scene and expressed sympathy for their loss.
Waste Management confirmed Shivers’ death and expressed condolences to his family and the other passenger involved in the accident. The company said it had lost a valued member of its team and was cooperating with police as the investigation continued.
The collision caused extensive damage to the overpass. A Fort Worth police officer reportedly described the structural damage as unusually significant. State and local agencies are assessing the overpass and determining what repairs will be necessary, with officials saying the evaluation and repair process is expected to take at least a week.
The National Transportation Safety Board opened a safety investigation into the Fort Worth crash on Thursday afternoon and is working with the Fort Worth Police Department. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the truck’s movement, the collision and the resulting structural damage. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what led to the crash.
Shivers’ death has left a family, coworkers and others affected by the sudden loss, while the actions of the witnesses at the scene highlighted the willingness of ordinary people to put themselves at risk to help others in an emergency. His memory will remain connected not only to the tragedy but also to the people who responded with courage and compassion when help was urgently needed. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, coworkers and all those affected by his passing.
