June 18, 2025
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel attorneys have reached a favorable resolution on behalf of the family of a Las Vegas husband and wife who were killed when their RV was struck by an 18-wheeler near El Paso in December 2020.
The couple were traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near Tornillo when a semi-truck traveling west through a construction zone crossed over into oncoming lanes and struck their RV, according to police reports. Mr. Govaker died from injuries at the scene, and Ms. Rogers died after she was transported to the hospital. Stephen James Govaker, 72, died from injuries at the scene, and Sherri La Rhonda Rogers, 57, died after she was transported to the hospital.
The truck was carrying a load on behalf of Land Air Express, which had contracted with Veloce Express to rent a truck from Ryder Truck Rental. According to police reports, the truck’s front left tire lost air pressure and caused truck driver Francisco Zamora to lose control and veer into oncoming lanes.
Family members of the two filed the lawsuit against the Land Air Express, Veloce Express, Ryder Truck Rental, Bridgestone Americas Tire Corporation, Daimler Truck North America, and Mr. Zamora arguing the companies were careless or their equipment was faulty, causing the fatal crash.
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel attorneys Peter Kraus, Jason McGilberry, and Cory Powell, working with Cooney & Conway, secured a favorable resolution for the family.
According to a police incident report, the tractor-trailer rig’s front left tire lost air pressure and caused the truck driver to lose control. The truck then went off the road and across the median before crashing into the motor home,
At the time of the crash, Land Air Express was a privately held trucking company with roughly 300 trucks that performed LTL (less-than-truckload), FTL (full-truckload), and PUD (pickup-and-delivery) services in North America. In 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (MCSA) shut down Land Air Express following a series of safety violations. According to the FMCSA, the company had been involved in 49 crashes during a 24-month period preceding the order. The company was acquired by Forward Air Corporation in 2023.
Understanding the Risks: Truck Safety Facts
Sharing the road with large commercial trucks is becoming more dangerous, according to the FMSCA. While the number of fatal truck accidents went up slightly (2%) between 2021 and 2022, the bigger picture is more concerning: over the last 10 years, the number of people killed in these crashes has jumped by over 50%. In 2020, Texas had the most (568 fatal crashes), followed by California and Florida.
Because of their size and weight, semi-trucks are responsible for more fatal accidents than any other type of truck. When these crashes happen, it’s usually the people in the smaller car, not the truck driver, who are killed.
Why are these deadly truck crashes increasing? There are several reasons:
How We Help Victims of Trucking Accidents
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, contact the experienced truck accident lawyers at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel today. We understand the ins and outs of these difficult matters, and we are prepared to provide swift and effective counsel for your case and help you get the results you deserve. Contact our experienced trucking accident lawyers now to see if you have a case.
Our Results
Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
A Philadelphia jury awarded a record verdict against ExxonMobil for failing to warn about cancer risks due to benzene in its petroleum products.
Private equity firm and co-defendants agree to pay $25M in Medicaid fraud case alleging mental health services provided by unqualified providers.
That’s the first question everyone asks. The truth is it’s impossible to know. But we can tell you this. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has what it takes to fight against big corporate interests and win.
