A routine garbage route turned into a costly mess for Comanche County. According to a lawsuit filed Monday, a WasteSolutions LLC truck blew a tire on July 25 and continued driving for roughly seven miles on bare rims. The result was significant damage along Airport Road, Deyo Road, Coombs Road, Baseline Road, and Southwest Pecan Road, with county officials saying the asphalt was“cut, gouged, scored, scarred, and destroyed.”
The lawsuit names both the company and driver Darion Blate, alleging Blate ignored communications from his employer and kept driving despite the obvious damage. County commissioners are seeking more than $75,000 in actual damages, plus punitive damages and attorney fees. The county also says WasteSolutions has paid nothing, repaired nothing, and failed to notify its insurer, leaving the community to deal with the aftermath while the company remains silent.
This case raises real questions about accountability for companies operating on our roads. Should trucking firms face stricter oversight when equipment fails? And how long should a community have to wait before a company steps up to fix what’s broken? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.