DOT’s New Hours of Service Regulation for Truck Drivers Not Enough to Ensure Road Safety, Experts Say
Washington, D.C. – December 22, 2011
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced new rules on December 22 that will revise the hours of service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truckers. The new rule is being praised by the Department of Transportation’s Federal motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as a “culmination of the most extensive and transparent public outreach effort in our agency’s history.” Some safety advocates, however, are questioning whether the new rules go far enough to prevent tractor trailer crashes due to driver fatigue.
Big Rig Kills Two in Deadly Wrong Way Crash
December 22, 2011
A tractor trailer driver is responsible for killing two people Thursday night in Randolph County, North Carolina, after his rig collided head on with one car and sideswiped another. The fatal truck crash occurred at the intersection of N.C. Highway 49 and Dunbar Bridge Road at around 5 p.m. Witnesses say the tractor trailer driver was attempting to pass five cars in a two-lane no-passing zone while going uphill when he plowed head-on into a car carrying a 49-year-old man, a 53-year-old woman and a 6-year-old boy. The man and the woman were both pronounced dead on the scene. The little boy was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. A man in the vehicle that was sideswiped by the tractor trailer sustained minor injuries. The tractor trailer driver, who was also taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, has been charged with passing in a no-passing zone. Further charges against the tractor trailer driver are pending a full investigation.
15 Injured After Tractor Trailer Collides With Church Van
December 21, 2011
A tractor trailer heading eastbound on U.S. Highway 64 in North Carolina collided with a westbound church van carrying 14 passengers. A total of 15 people were taken to area hospitals, four of which were in critical condition. The accident occurred at around 6 p.m. Wednesday night in Transylvania County, North Carolina. According to authorities, the driver of the tractor trailer ran off the side of the road and jackknifed his rig into oncoming traffic while attempting to regain control of the truck. The passenger van could not avoid a collision, authorities said. One person had to be extricated from the van, which is registered to La Primera Mission Bautista Church. The driver of the tractor trailer has been charged with driving left of center. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of Wednesday night’s accident in North Carolina.
Truck Driver Criminally Responsible in Fatal Pennsylvania Crash
December 7, 2011
A Pennsylvania judge charged a truck driver with vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter over a 2010 crash that resulted in the death of another tractor trailer driver. The crash occurred when a big rig driven by Richard Pedota drifted onto the shoulder of Interstate 78 in Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania, and slammed into another truck, killing a man inside the cab. Another passenger vehicle then slammed into the jackknifed truck causing a fire that consumed and destroyed all three vehicles. Authorities say Pedota either fell asleep at the wheel or blacked out due to some medical problem. Pedota faces six to 12 years in prison. He will be sentenced on February 2.
Safety Advocates Defend Reduction of Truck Driver Hours
November 30, 2011
The DOT proposed legislation last December to limit the amount of hours truck drivers can be behind the wheel during a shift from 11 hours to 10 hours. This proposal has sparked a heated debate between those who believe reducing truck driver hours will cost too much, and those who believe any negative financial results are outweighed by the potential boost in road safety.
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R – Ohio) is among lawmakers against limiting truck driver hours, saying the cost of a shorter driving day would be expensive. A grocery executive also told a U.S. House of Representatives panel that food prices would rise three percent if the Department of Transportation (DOT) reduced the amount of hours truck drivers can be on the road. “Any increase in operating costs will have to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices,” Glen Keysaw, executive director a retail cooperative based in Salt Lake City, told the House Oversight and Government Affairs regulatory subcommittee on Wednesday.
Consumer advocates disagree with House Speaker Boehner and Keysaw, arguing that Congress should be focused on keeping people safe instead of the bottom line of trucking companies.
Ed Slattery, whose wife was killed in a truck accident, told Congress the human costs of crashes cannot be underplayed. In addition to his wife’s death, Slattery’s two sons were permanently disabled in the 2010 crash where the truck driver responsible fell asleep behind the wheel. The crash will end up costing $18 million in medical bills alone. “Our lives will never be the same,” Slattery said. “I am here to urge Congress and the White House not to cave to the political pressures of the trucking industry.”
Slattery’s tragic story puts a human face on a troubling statistic. According to the U.S. Federal Motor carrier Safety Administration, nearly 500 out of 4,000 large-truck fatalities were associated with driver fatigue.
Accident Involving Truck and Multiple Vehicles Kills One
November 21, 2011
A crash involving multiple vehicles and a box truck killed a man on Monday morning on Route 33 in Hamilton Township, Pennsylvania. Authorities say the fatal accident occurred at around 6:30 a.m. when a northbound straight truck drove through the center median and into oncoming traffic before colliding with three passenger vehicles. The impact of the crash flipped the truck over on its side and damaged the front end of all three passenger vehicles. The driver of the first passenger vehicle hit in the accident was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities at this time are uncertain what caused the fatal truck crash. An investigation is being conducted by Pennsylvania State Police.
Dump Truck Strikes Passenger Vehicle Head-On, Killing One
November 15, 2011
A 40-year-old man was killed when a dump truck struck his Honda CRV head-on on Tuesday afternoon. The fatal truck crash occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on Lee Highway in Manassas, Virginia. Authorities say a dump truck driver was heading south on Lee Highway when it swerved into oncoming traffic, hitting a Ford F-350 and the Honda CRV. The driver of the CRV died on the scene. There were four passengers in the Ford F-350, none were injured in the crash. The dump truck driver was also uninjured in the crash. No charges have been filed as police are still investigating what caused the fatal dump truck crash.
Jury Awards Victim of Deadly Arkansas Truck Crash $7 Million
November 12, 2011
Kentucky-based trucking company Dunaway Timber Co. has been ordered to pay $7 million in damages stemming from a fatal 2008 tractor trailer crash in Yellville. A U.S. District Court jury in Harrison, Arkansas, found that Dunaway Timber was 75 percent responsible for the fatal truck crash which occurred on U.S. 62 and Arkansas 202 on September 3, 2008. The driver of the Dunaway Timber tractor trailer, Morgan Quisenberry, was found to be 25 percent at fault. On the day of the fatal crash Quisenberry was at the end of a sleep deprived 24-hour shift when he lost control of his tractor trailer and collided with two passenger cars and the cab of another tractor trailer. The tractor trailer cab caught fire, trapping driver Roger Reagan inside. Reagan later died of a heart attack before reaching a nearby hospital. Quisenberry had been driving for 14 hours straight, a violation of the 11-hour commercial truck driving limit. Dunaway Timber was found guilty of sending him on the long route, knowing that it would not be completed within the legal limit for hours behind the wheel of a commercial truck. Additionally, the company negligently hired Quisenberry, failing to recognize that the driver had recently had an accident while driving hazardous materials and twice had his license taken away for driving intoxicated.
Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit by Dump Truck
November 7, 2011
A bicyclist was killed Monday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana after a dump truck struck him while making a wide right turn. The fatal crash occurred at 12:48 p.m near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Banta Road. The bicyclist was on the sidewalk heading south on Banta Road when the truck turned right on Madison and struck him as he reached the street, police said. The dump truck driver told authorities he was all the way in the left lane when he made the wide right turn, due to the truck’s turning radius. The bicyclist was pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
One Dead and Another Hospitalized in Fatal Crash With Utility Truck
November 4, 2011
A woman was killed and another critically injured on Friday after their passenger vehicle was struck by a utility truck in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The fatal crash occurred at around 12:40 p.m. at the intersection of Losee Road and East Centennial Parkway, after the energy truck allegedly ran a red light. Witnesses say the Nevada Energy commercial crane truck ran a red light and collided with a vehicle carrying three female passengers. Two of the three women in the car were rushed to University Medical Center. One of the women, a 20-year-old who was driving the car, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other woman is listed in critical condition. Drivers in the area say the intersection where the crash occurred is considered unsafe due to temporary traffic lights being positioned lower than normal traffic lights. The utility truck driver did not test positive for drugs or alcohol. Charges have not been filed against the driver, as an investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
Train Horn Sounded Four Times Before Crash With Truck
November 3, 2011
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have revisited the Nevada crash site where tractor trailer driver Lawrence Valli crashed his rig into an Amtrak train on June 24, 2011, killing himself and four people on the train. NTSB officials arrived last week to reenact the chain of events that led to the fatal crash, putting a tractor trailer identical to the one that crashed through a variety of tests. Investigators skidded the tractor trailer and tested the brakes. They also conducted a test to see if the tractor trailer driver could hear the Amtrak train as it was approaching the railroad crossing. The engineer on the June 24 Amtrak train told investigators he blew his horn four times attempting to warn the driver of the railroad crossing. NTSB officials declined to reveal whether the train’s horn could be heard from the tractor trailer cab.
Immediately after the crash, Amtrak and Union Pacific filed suit against John Davis Trucking, the company that employed Valli. John Davis Trucking immediately counter-sued. There are currently seven pending lawsuits against Amtrak and the John Davis Trucking Company in state court, seeking thousands in damages based on claims of negligence.
Heavy Trucks in Vermont Pilot Test Lead to More Crashes, Data Finds
October 31, 2011
Vermont and Maine began a pilot program in 2010 to allow trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds to travel on Interstate and non-Interstate roads, effectively exempting those trucks from federal 80,000 pound limits. The Truck Safety Coalition, who has long fought against allowing heavier trucks on the road, recently posted preliminary data from the pilot program on their website. Vermont transportation officials have said that allowing heavier trucks on both Interstate and non-Interstate roads would get them off of rural highways and prevent more accidents. The numbers from the 2010 pilot program seem to contradict this contention.
Crashes on both Interstate and non-Interstate Vermont roads increased during the pilot program. Non-Interstate roads saw 258 crashes in 2010, up 24 percent from 2009. Crashes on Interstates also saw an increase of 10 percent from 50 crashes in 2009 to 55 crashes in 2010. These numbers seem to indicate that Vermont legislators are concerned with advancing a dangerous policy that puts business ahead of public safety.
The people behind the legislation that would make it admissible for heavier trucks to operate on Interstate roads are mainly businesses and trucking companies looking to increase profits with bigger payloads at the expense of highway safety. “This special interest pilot project used motorists as human guinea pigs in a killer experiment. The results are clear – more deaths, more dangerous trucks, more damage to our already compromised infrastructure, and more costs – which are not paid for by the industry but by taxpayers,” says Daphne Izer, founder of Parents Against Tired Truckers (PATT).
The continuation of the pilot program is now being decided by Congress. A Department of Transportation appropriations bill, which has provisions to give both Vermont and Maine the authority to permit heavier trucks on their Interstates, has cleared the House of Representatives. Getting the bill through the Senate may prove difficult, as the truck provisions will face some opposition.
Tractor Trailer Plows Into Minivan Killing Seven in Indiana
October 27, 2011
A tractor trailer rear ended a minivan packed with 10 people Thursday night near Bristol, Indiana, killing seven passengers. Three others in the minivan were rushed to nearby hospitals, two in critical condition. The tractor trailer driver was also injured in the crash. Police believe the 10 people in the minivan were members of the same extended family. No one in the minivan was wearing a seatbelt when the fatal crash occurred. One of those killed was an infant, who was sitting in a car seat that was not being properly used. The fatal crash took place just before 8 p.m. on the Indiana Toll Road roughly 10 miles east of South Bend. The minivan had Illinois license plates, and authorities said they believe some of the people traveling in the minivan were Ecuadorian immigrants residing in the greater Chicago area. Family members from the Chicago area were called upon to assist in identifying the bodies of those killed in the crash. The names of the victims have not yet been released. Eye witnesses are suggesting that the van may have hit a deer in the eastbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road and slowed or stopped shortly before the tractor trailer rear-ended it. Authorities are still investigating what caused the fatal tractor trailer crash in Indiana.
FedEx Truck Slams Into Car Killing Two Little Girls
October 27, 2011
A FedEx truck slammed into the rear of a Saturn on Thursday afternoon killing two little girls and injuring the driver and another passenger. The fatal crash occurred on Highway 51 just south of Senatobia, Mississippi. Witnesses say the Saturn slowed to a stop as a car in front of it was making a left. The FedEx truck driver apparently did not see that the Saturn had stopped and slammed into the rear of the vehicle. The two little girls killed in the fatal wreck, aged six and two, were sitting in the back of the car. The driver of the Saturn, who is also the mother of the two girls, was taken to an area hospital along with a 15-year-old passenger. Both were in serious condition. The FedEx driver was uninjured in the crash. Authorities at this time are uncertain if speed was a factor in the crash. The investigation into Thursday’s fatal crash in Mississippi is ongoing.
Man Dies in Fatal Collision With Big Rig
October 22, 2011
A 26-year-old man died early Saturday morning when his Chevy Suburban collided with a tractor trailer making an illegal U-turn. The fatal crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 70 in Woodlawn, Maryland. Witnesses say the tractor trailer attempted to make an illegal U-turn when the Chevy Suburban slammed into the trailer portion of the truck, pinning the Chevy underneath the trailer. The 26-year-old man driving the Chevy was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead on the scene by first responders. It was unclear as to whether alcohol played a factor in the crash. Charges against the driver of the tractor trailer for making the illegal U-turn are pending. The investigation into Saturday’s fatal tractor trailer crash in Woodlawn is ongoing.
Widow Sues Four Companies for Husband’s Death in Pennsylvania Truck Crash Lawsuit
October 17, 2011
A tractor trailer driver responsible for a fatal 2009 crash is facing both criminal charges and a federal lawsuit. Sixty-one-year-old Gilles J. Dugas was killed on August 28, 2009, when a big rig driven by Dennis Ness crossed the median of I-81 in South Middleton Township, Pennsylvania. The criminal charges, filed in May of this year, accuse Ness of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, reckless and careless driving and speeding. Ness, who suffers from sleep apnea, is accused of lying to police about the cause of the crash and falsifying his driver logs. The national law firm of Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman is also representing Dugas’s wife, Ann Dugas, in a federal lawsuit seeking unspecified financial damages from those involved in the horrific crash. Listed as defendants in that lawsuit are Ness, Eagle Systems Inc., Twist Trucking LLC, Swift Transportation Co., and Thoroughbred Direct Intermodal Services.
Louisiana Motorcyclist Killed in Accident with Tractor Trailer
October 15, 2011
A 35-year-old man was killed Sunday night when a his motorcycle collided with the trailer section of an 18-wheeler truck in Youngsville, Louisiana. The fatal crash occurred on U.S. Highway 90 just east of Louisiana Highway 92. The tractor trailer driver was attempting to cross the highway and did not yield for the oncoming motorcycle, which forced a collision. The motorcyclist was ejected from his bike and first responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The truck driver was cited for failing to yield. An investigation into the fatal truck crash is ongoing.
Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Tractor Trailer Crash
October 11, 2011
A motorcyclist was critically injured on Tuesday night after a tractor trailer pulled into his path. The crash occurred as the Yamaha motorcycle was travelling northbound on 22nd Avenue in Georgetown Township, Michigan. According to authorities, a semi pulled out from a business and directly into the path of the motorcycle. The man was thrown from his bike, sustaining life-threatening injuries. The truck driver was uninjured. Authorities are investigating the truck crash.
Six Injured After Tractor Trailer Collides With Multiple Vehicles near Pocono, Pennsylvania
October 10, 2011
An eastbound tractor trailer collided with multiple vehicles on Interstate 80, near Pocono Township, Pennsylvania on Monday, sending six people to the hospital. State police say the driver of the tractor trailer failed to see heavy traffic in front of him, swerved his rig but could not avoid a collision with a Honda and a Volvo. The tractor trailer then crossed over the median into oncoming traffic and collided with a pickup truck, pinning it against a concrete barrier on the right shoulder. The driver and two passengers in the Volvo were taken by ambulance to Pocono Medical Center. Two people in the pickup truck had to be airlifted to Pocono Medical Center. No one in the Honda was injured in the crash. The tractor trailer driver was hauling for New Jersey-based Advanced Cargo Transportation. An investigation into the cause of the truck crash near Pocono is ongoing.
Man Dies in Tulare County Tractor Trailer Crash
October 8, 2011
A 25-year-old man driving a Chevy Malibu was killed Saturday morning in a collision with a tractor trailer hauling manure in Tulare County, California. The accident occurred at Avenue 184 when the manure truck made a left turn directly into the path of the Chevy Malibu, forcing a deadly head-on collision. The 25-year-old Chevy driver was pinned inside his car and died on the scene. The tractor trailer driver, a 57-year-old man, sustained minor injuries in the crash and was taken to Tulare District Hospital. Authorities do not suspect alcohol to be a factor in the fatal crash. An investigation into the cause of the truck crash is ongoing.
Tractor Trailer Crash Sends Two to the Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 6, 2011
A tractor trailer slammed into the rear of a Ford Ranger Thursday morning after failing to stop at a traffic light between Sprinkle Road and Covington Road in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The wreck occurred at 6:25 a.m. Authorities say the impact of the tractor trailer caused the Ford pickup truck to slam into the rear of another passenger vehicle, causing severe damage to both the front and back end of the pickup truck. Both victims were rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Their conditions at this time are unknown. An investigation into the cause of the big rig crash is ongoing.
Bus Crashes Into Overturned Big Rig
October 6, 2011
A bus headed to Denver, Colorado slammed into an overturned tractor trailer early Thursday morning on Interstate 80, injuring more than 30 people. The bus driver and one passenger were critically injured in the crash, which occurred in Gibbon, Nebraska at around 2 a.m. The accident happened after a tractor trailer overturned on Interstate 80, blocking westbound lanes. The bus driver, who could not avoid a collision, hit the overturned rig and then the highway median. A semi truck also collided with the overturned rig and ended up in a ditch alongside the road. The critically injured driver and passenger, along with 22 others, were taken to area hospitals. No deaths have been reported. According to reports it is unclear how many passengers were on the bus but 33 people were injured by the crash. The bus left Omaha at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday night with a scheduled arrival time in Denver at 7:55 a.m. on Thursday. Authorities are currently investigating what caused the collision between the bus and the big rigs.
NTSB Recommends Ban on Cell Phone Use by Commercial Truck Drivers
October 4, 2011
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended Tuesday to prohibit the use of both handheld and hands-free cell phones by all commercial truck drivers operating commercial trucks. The NTSB made their recommendation to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The safety recommendation comes on the heels of an NTSB investigation into the cause of a fatal tractor trailer crash last year in Munfordville, Kentucky. The fatal crash occurred on March 26, 2010 when a southbound tractor trailer went through the median on Interstate 65, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 15-passenger van. The horrific accident caused a fire and ultimately killed 10 people in the van as well as the truck driver. Two children in the van were also injured in the crash.
In their investigation of the Munfordville crash, the NTSB determined that the tractor trailer driver lost control of his rig because he was distracted by his mobile phone. He placed four calls to a friend shortly before the fatal crash while on the road, and phone records indicate that he was distracted by his cell phone just seconds before impact with the 15-passenger van.
Research indicates that use of a handheld or hands-free cell phone is a distraction that impairs driving performance. This can result in slower reaction times and more lapses in attention. Cellular phone use is a mental distraction, even when both hands are on the wheel of the vehicle. In the Munfordville crash, investigators were not able to determine if the truck driver was using a handheld cell phone or a hands-free device, but it was clear that being on the phone was a clear distraction.
Deadly Tractor Trailer Crash in New Kent, Virginia Kills Woman
October 2, 2011
A woman riding in the back seat of a Honda Civic was killed Sunday night when a tractor trailer slammed into the rear of the car as it tried to change lanes. The woman was declared dead on the scene by first responders. It is unclear if she was wearing a safety belt. The fatal truck crash occurred near mile marker 207 in New Kent County, Virginia. The driver of the Civic and another passenger sitting in the front seat did not sustain injuries in the crash. Both were wearing safety belts. No charges have been filed yet as the investigation into the fatal truck crash is ongoing.
U.S. 95 Tractor Trailer Crash Leaves One Dead and Two Injured
September 28, 2011
A 62-year-old woman was killed and two others injured in a fiery crash involving a tractor trailer on Wednesday. The fatal crash, which involved the semi and two passenger vehicles, occurred on U.S. Highway 95, near Grangeville, Idaho. According to Idaho State Police, Elaine L. Crea was driving her car followed by a friend, Jessica L. Enneking, in another car. The accident occurred when Crea, followed by Enneking, slowed to make a turn. A tractor trailer then rear-ended Enneking’s vehicle and collided with the driver’s side of Crea’s car. Enneking’s vehicle was pushed aside during the collision but the semi and Crea’s vehicle became entangled and caught fire. Authorities said that Crea was unable to escape the blaze and was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Enneking and the driver of the tractor trailer, Charles E. Sumner, were injured during the crash. An investigation into the fatal truck crash is underway.
Landstar to Pay $40.2 Million for Fatal 2007 Truck Crash
September 23, 2011
A Georgia state court ordered Landstar System Inc. to pay $40.2 million for a 2007 tractor trailer accident that killed a man. Theresa Foster sued Landstar, a Jacksonville, Florida-based trucking company, after a Landstar-owned truck ran a stop sign and killed her husband Bill Foster. Though the driver of the tractor trailer was not a Landstar employee, Georgia law held the trucking company liable for the wreck due to Landstar’s ownership of the trailer. In their regulatory filing, Landstar said the company will take on a $5 million charge to pay for litigation and insurance will cover the remaining costs. Landstar and its insurers plan to appeal the jury’s decision. The case is Foster v. Landstar Ranger Inc., 09-a-1698-2 State Court of Cobb County, State of Georgia (Marietta).
One Dead and One in Critical Condition After Tractor Trailer Hits Motorcycle
September 18, 2011
A semi truck collided with a motorcycle Sunday afternoon in Eagle Township, Michigan, killing a woman and critically injuring a man on the motorcycle. The two were riding westbound on Interstate 96 near the Grange Road exit when the truck rear-ended the motorcycle, throwing both victims from the bike. Authorities are unsure whether the man or the woman was driving the motorcycle at the time of the fatal accident. The big rig driver was uninjured. The cause of the fatal truck crash is currently unclear and an investigation is ongoing.
Elderly Couple Killed in Charles County, Maryland Truck Accident
September 9, 2011
Two people are dead and others critically injured after a tractor trailer crash in Maryland. An 86-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife were killed in a four-vehicle crash caused by a tractor trailer in Charles County, Maryland. The fatal crash occurred at 11:36 a.m. Friday morning when a tractor trailer heading east on Route 231 rear-ended the couple’s vehicle, sending it into oncoming traffic where it collided with two westbound vehicles. The couple killed in the accident were turning into their driveway when they were rear-ended by the semi. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Passengers in the other vehicles involved in the crash were taken to area hospitals in critical condition. It is unclear how many people were injured in the accident. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Truck Driver Responsible for Deadly Accident Sentenced to Seven Years Jail Time
September 8, 2011
The truck driver responsible for a fatal 2009 truck crash in La Canada, California was sentenced to seven years and four months in state prison. A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge handed down the sentence in Pasadena to Marcos Costa, a trucker living in Massachusetts. Mr. Costa was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the April 1, 2009 crash, which occurred at the bottom of Angeles Crest Highway. The deadly accident occurred when Costa was unable to stop the 25-ton car hauler truck before it smashed into oncoming traffic and buildings at the bottom of a winding, narrow highway. Killed in the crash was Angel George Posca, 58, and his 12-year-old daughter Angelina Posca. The two had just exited the freeway when Costa’s truck barreled into their vehicle and four other vehicles before slamming into a bookstore and a nail salon. Costa was accused of willfully ignoring clear signs that the brakes in his rig were failing, including billowing smoke coming from his wheels. Caltrans has since banned five-axle tractor trailers from using a section of highway where the fatal crash occurred. Prosecutors say Mr. Costa will likely do two years jail time after already serving 20 months and receiving credit for good behavior.
Interstate 10 Tractor Trailer Crash Kills Four Near Picacho Peak, Arizona
September 8, 2011
Two people are dead and others critically injured after a tractor trailer crash in Maryland. An 86-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife were killed in a four-vehicle crash caused by a tractor trailer in Charles County, Maryland. The fatal crash occurred at 11:36 a.m. Friday morning when a tractor trailer heading east on Route 231 rear-ended the couple’s vehicle, sending it into oncoming traffic where it collided with two westbound vehicles. The couple killed in the accident were turning into their driveway when they were rear-ended by the semi. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Passengers in the other vehicles involved in the crash were taken to area hospitals in critical condition. It is unclear how many people were injured in the accident. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Retired Firefighter Struck and Killed by Big Rig on Interstate 15
September 2, 2011
A retired firefighter standing on the southbound shoulder of Interstate 15 was struck and killed by a tractor trailer on Saturday afternoon. The fatal truck accident occurred near the Cajon Pass in California. Authorities aren’t certain what caused the 2006 Kenworth tractor trailer to hit the 56-year-old man. The firefighter had retired from the Vallejo Fire Department in 2008 after more than 20 years as a fire engineer. He was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where coroner’s officials say he died of his injuries at 3:33 p.m. “He was conscientious, tremendously caring, all around a good solid character,” said Vallejo fire Chief Paige Meyer. “He was second to none as far as his job was concerned.” Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck accident.
Tractor Trailer Accident in Construction Zone Kills One and Injures Another in Lino Lakes, Minnesota
September 1, 2011
A 20-year-old woman was killed early Thursday morning in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, when a tractor trailer rear ended the car she was traveling in. The fatal crash occurred at 6:20 a.m. near County Road 14. The woman’s mother was driving on Interstate 35 when her vehicle was rear ended by a tractor trailer, sending it into oncoming traffic where another tractor trailer collided with the passenger side of the vehicle. The 20-year-old was in the passenger seat when the accident occurred. The woman’s mother was taken to Regions Hospital in stable condition. Neither tractor trailer driver was hurt in the crash. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Big Rig Overturns and Seriously Injures Woman on Southern California’s 710 Freeway
August 24, 2011
A big rig getting on the 710 freeway from the 405 freeway near Long Beach, California overturned onto a Honda Civic Wednesday evening, seriously injuring a woman driving the Honda. First responders freed the woman from her car and she was immediately taken to the hospital in serious condition. The driver of the big rig was also injured in the crash. Witnesses say the big rig driver merged onto the 710 freeway at a very high speed, which caused the cab to flip followed by the entire truck. The driver of the Civic was pinned underneath the cab section of the big rig for over an hour before she was freed. Traffic was clogged on both freeways for many hours after the accident Wednesday night. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Drunk Tractor-trailer Driver Arrested After Crash Seriously Injures Woman
August 19, 2011
A 32-year-old tractor trailer driver was arrested Friday night after authorities say he caused a crash and fled the scene. A woman was critically injured in the crash, authorities said. The tractor trailer driver, who was driving under the influence, drove through a stop sign around 11 p.m. at the intersection of Vineland and Muller in East Bakersfield. A 33-year-old woman driving through the intersection could not avoid a collision and slammed into the big rig. She was rushed to a nearby hospital with major injuries. Authorities caught up to the tractor trailer driver after he fled the scene. He was arrested on felony DUI charges as well as felony hit-and-run charges. The investigation into the crash continues.
Lawsuit filed in 2009 crash death on I-81
August 11, 2011
The widow of a man killed in a tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 81 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania almost two years ago is suing four companies and the truck driver involved in the fatal crash. That crash and an unrelated crash in the northbound lanes at virtually the same time caused nearly six hours of gridlock in downtown Carlisle that Friday as traffic was diverted from the interstate at the start of the annual Corvettes at Carlisle weekend. Ann Dugas, a U.S. citizen residing in Ontario, Canada, filed the wrongful death lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court in Harrisburg, citing negligence as the cause of the crash that killed her husband, Gilles Dugas, according to her attorneys, Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman of Washington, D.C. Gilles Dugas died Aug. 28, 2009, in a three-vehicle crash just before 2 p.m. when truck driver Dennis Ness lost control of his rig and crashed into Dugas’ vehicle.
Tractor Trailer Kills Man Mowing Grass on Highway Shoulder
August 10, 2011
A tractor trailer crashed into a mower tractor on Wednesday afternoon killing a Nickelsville, Virginia man mowing grass on the shoulder of U.S. Route 23. The fatal wreck occurred in Scott County, Virginia, near mile marker 14 shortly after 1 p.m. The impact with the tractor trailer tore the mower in half, and the man driving the mower was ejected from the driver’s compartment. He died at the scene. The big rig driver did not sustain any injuries in the crash. Authorities from the Virginia State Police have not yet determined what caused the fatal crash, though charges are pending. Road signs were posted along the highway warning drivers of mowing taking place along the shoulder of U.S. Route 23. The investigation into the cause of the fatal tractor trailer crash continues.
Widow Sues Four Companies for Husband’s Death in Pennsylvania Truck Crash
August 10, 2011
Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman filed a truck crash lawsuit on behalf of the widow of a man killed in a 2009 Pennsylvania tractor trailer accident. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania listing as defendants, truck driver Dennis Ness, Eagle Systems, Inc. and Thoroughbred Direct Intermodal Services. The owner of the truck and trailer involved in the crash, Twist Trucking, LLC, and Swift Transportation Company, respectively, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. “My client wants justice. She can’t bring back her husband, but she can hold these defendants accountable for killing him. Truckers need to be extra vigilant because of the greater damage they can cause in an accident and trucking companies should adopt better systems to prevent driver fatigue,” said the family’s trucking accident attorney, Cara Luther, of Baum Hedlund’s Washington, D.C. office. “The companies and individuals involved in the operation of the vehicles in this accident will be held accountable for this senseless tragedy.”
One Dead After Tow Truck Collides With Tractor Trailer
August 8, 2011
A 23-year-old man driving a Toyota Camry was killed Wednesday in a crash involving a tractor trailer hauling 4,000 gallons of gasoline. The Peterbilt tanker truck crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 128 near Cloverdale, California, and collided head on with the Camry. The truck driver said he lost control of the truck and the rig ultimately flipped over on its side along Highway 128. The crash resulted in gasoline being spilled all over the Highway, which closed the road for hours so a Hazmat team could clean up the fuel. According to the CHP, the truck is owned by Redwood Transportation of Santa Rosa. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Santa Rosa Man Killed in Collision With Gasoline Truck
August 3, 2011
A 23-year-old man driving a Toyota Camry was killed Wednesday in a crash involving a tractor trailer hauling 4,000 gallons of gasoline. The Peterbilt tanker truck crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 128 near Cloverdale, California, and collided head on with the Camry. The truck driver said he lost control of the truck and the rig ultimately flipped over on its side along Highway 128. The crash resulted in gasoline being spilled all over the Highway, which closed the road for hours so a Hazmat team could clean up the fuel. According to the CHP, the truck is owned by Redwood Transportation of Santa Rosa. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Tractor Trailer Driver Convicted of Manslaughter in California Crash
July 29, 2011
Truck driver Marcos Costa was convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving in a crash that killed a man and his 12 year old daughter on April 1, 2009. Costa was also found guilty of injuring three other people in the La Canada Flintridge, California crash. Six vehicles and the tractor trailer were involved in the crash which concluded with Costa slamming into a bookstore and nail salon at Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard. Witnesses of the crash say that Costa ignored the warning from an off-duty firefighter who informed the truck driver that smoke was coming out of his brakes. The firefighter also mentioned to Costa that the road was difficult going downhill. The intersection where the fatal crash occurred has produced similar crashes in the past. In the aftermath of the fatal crash, Caltrans put a 90-day ban on five-axle trucks traveling on Angeles Crest Highway between the Angeles Forest Highway and Interstate 210. The ban later became permanent. Marcos Costa filed a civil lawsuit against Los Angeles County in March saying that they are to blame for not properly maintaining the Angeles Crest Highway.
Tractor Trailer and Tour Bus Collide Killing One and Injuring Many Others
July 22, 2011
A tractor trailer slammed into a tour bus carrying over 50 passengers through central New York early Friday morning, killing the tractor trailer driver and injuring 30 people on the bus. Fifteen out of the 30 injured had to be taken to nearby hospitals, two of whom are in critical condition. The fatal crash occurred near Rochester, New York, in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 at around 1:30 a.m. The collision started a fire that consumed both the tractor trailer and the Farr Coachline bus. State police said a U.S. soldier that saw the accident was pulling passengers off the burning bus. The fatal crash comes on the heels of Sunday’s bus crash that killed two people and injured 35 others a mere 45 miles away from Friday morning’s crash. Authorities are currently investigating what caused the tractor trailer to crash into the tour bus.
Big Rig Slams Into a Boys and Girls Club Bus, 12 Injured
July 13, 2011
Twelve people are in the hospital after a Buckingham Greenery delivery truck ran a red light in downtown Richmond, Virginia Wednesday afternoon and slammed into a bus transporting children from the Boys and Girls Club. First responders arrived on scene to find the small bus turned over on its side from the impact of the crash. A spokesman for the Richmond Police Department described the scene as a “mass casualty incident.” There were ten people on the bus and two in the big rig at the time of the accident. Heavy machinery was needed to extricate a passenger in the Buckingham Greenery delivery truck. At this time it is unclear how many on the bus were children. The bus was on its way to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Tractor Trailer Crash Kills Motorcyclist in Utah
June 29, 2011
A motorcycle and tractor trailer collided on Wednesday, killing a 39-year-old motorcyclist. According to authorities, the semi struck the motorcyclist as it was pulling out of a tire dealership in Salt Lake City, Utah. The motorcyclist, who had been traveling on 2100 South, struck the trailer of the big rig. He died at the scene, police said.
Flatbed Truck Veers into Car, Killing One and Injuring Another
June 27, 2011
A flatbed tractor trailer veered into the path of a passenger vehicle on Monday night, killing the driver of the car and seriously injuring a passenger. The fatal crash occurred on State Route 43 in Jefferson County, Ohio. According to authorities, the semi veered from its lane before striking a Kia vehicle. The driver of the Kia, a 49-year-old man, died at the scene. His passenger, a 48-year-old-woman, was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Authorities are currently investigating the fatal truck crash.
Truck Collides With Amtrak Train, Six Dead and Many More Injured
June 24, 2011
A big rig collided with an Amtrak train as it crossed U.S. Highway 95 in rural Nevada on Friday morning, killing at least six and injuring at least 94 people. The driver of the big rig failed to recognize rail crossing signs indicating the Amtrak train was crossing the highway, and did not slow down in time to avoid slamming into the train. The collision caused a fire that ended up spreading to three train cars. Authorities believe that speed may have played a role in the fatal crash, as the truck left skid marks that measured over a football field long. Investigators are also awaiting toxicology reports to see if drugs may have been in the driver’s system at the time of the crash. His cell phone was also found and has been taken to a lab for analysis.
FedEx Truck Slams Into Pickup on I-10 in New Mexico, Killing Three
June 22, 2011
A FedEx tractor trailer collided with a pickup truck that was stopped in the slow lane of Interstate 10 early Wednesday morning, killing a mother and her young daughter. The driver of the FedEx truck was also killed in the accident. The crash occurred at mile post 117 just outside Las Cruces, New Mexico, when the FedEx truck driver failed to see the pickup and literally ran it over. A mother, her four-year-old daughter and an 18-month-old boy were in the pickup. The young boy was thrown from the vehicle in the collision, though news sources say he did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. In a statement issued Wednesday, FedEx said they are “cooperating fully with local authorities investigating the accident.” The cause of the fatal truck crash has not been determined.
Two Dead After Tractor Trailer Slams Into Stalled Vehicles
June 20, 2011
A transportation worker was killed Monday afternoon near Memphis, Tennessee when a tractor trailer slammed into two vehicles stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 55. The tractor trailer driver was also killed in the fatal truck accident. Authorities say the transportation worker, who drove a HELP truck for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), stopped to assist a stalled motorist when a tractor trailer collided with both the disabled vehicle and the TDOT truck. The transportation worker was a former New York City police officer and a first responder during the 9/11 terrorist attack. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Tractor Trailer Slams Into Car Killing 78-Year-Old Man
June 17, 2011
A tractor trailer rear-ended a passenger vehicle Friday afternoon, causing a three-vehicle accident that killed a 78-year-old Greenfield, Indiana man. The fatal accident occurred on Interstate 70 near Richmond, Indiana at around 1:30 p.m. Local authorities say the Greenfield man, who was in a car with his wife, had stopped for a wide-load semi trailer when his vehicle was violently rear-ended by a tractor trailer. The impact forced the car to slam into another semi trailer. The 78-year-old man was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he later died of his injuries. The man’s wife was also taken to the hospital in fair condition. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
Fatal Truck Crash Trial Set To Start Next Week in Pasadena, California
June 14, 2011
Marcos Costa, the driver in a runaway truck crash that killed two people in April 2009, is scheduled to start trial on charges of reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter and two counts of murder next Monday. Mr. Costa’s speeding truck collided with several passenger vehicles before ultimately crashing into a storefront at the end of the Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard in La Canada Flintridge, California. A Palmdale, California man, Angel Posca, and his 12-year-old daughter, were killed in the crash. Mr. Costa could face a life sentence behind bars. He initially attempted to defend himself while in custody at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles, but accepted a court-appointed defense attorney in January of this year. The trial is expected to last anywhere from four to six weeks.
National Road Safety in Jeopardy as ATA Lobbies for Weight Increase on Trucks
June 8, 2011
In mid June, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to address a “must pass” surface transportation spending bill. The American Trucking Association is using lobbyists and special interest groups to get legislation into this bill that would increase truck weight limits to 100,000 lbs. in every state – a 25% weight increase over the current 80,000 lbs. federal weight limit. Shippers like Kraft Foods are also using lobbyists and special interest groups to allow the weight increase. The Safe Highways and Infrastructure Protection Act (H.R. 1574/S.876), or SHIPA, has been introduced in the United States Senate and House of Representatives to put a “freeze” on current truck weight and length standards in place in every state. The legislation is very similar to legislation passed in 1995 that stopped trucking companies from utilizing triple trailer trucks that take the distance of a football field to stop. Heavier trucks with bigger payloads would increase the risk of fatalities and injuries resulting from tractor trailer/passenger car collisions, as well as increased pollution and more damage to the nation’s deteriorating roads and bridges.
One Dead In Accident Involving Three Semi Trucks
June 6, 2011
An Illinois man driving a minivan was killed shortly before midnight on Monday when his vehicle was sandwiched between two tractor trailers on Interstate 94 near Puetz Road in Milwaukee County. The accident occurred when a tractor trailer clipped the bumper of another tractor trailer, sending it out of control and causing a collision with a third tractor trailer and the minivan. The minivan driver died on the scene. Two of the tractor trailer drivers involved in the fatal accident were taken to a nearby hospital, but authorities said their injuries were not life threatening. The cause of the truck crash is currently being investigated.
22 People Hurt After Bus Collides With Overturned Tractor Trailer
June 6, 2011
A bus carrying a high school marching band from Del Rio, Texas slammed into an overturned tractor trailer shortly after midnight on Monday, injuring 22 people on the bus. The accident occurred on Interstate 10 near Mobile, Alabama. One person with serious injuries had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital and two others were admitted into an intensive care unit. Alabama State Troopers are unclear as to what caused the tractor trailer to overturn on the Interstate. The 48 students and two chaperones on the bus were traveling to Florida for a performance. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Tractor Trailer Rear-Ends Car Killing 10-Year-Old Boy
June 3, 2011
A tractor trailer slammed into the back of a passenger vehicle Friday afternoon, killing a 10-year-old boy and leaving another boy sitting in the backseat of the vehicle with critical injuries. The horrific accident occurred Friday afternoon on Commerce Road near Sandy Creek Park in Athens, Georgia. Authorities say the 10-year-old boy died instantly when the truck plowed into the back of the vehicle, which had four passengers inside. The two passengers in the front of the vehicle were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Authorities say the driver of the tractor trailer did not appear to be speeding, but they aren’t certain exactly what caused the collision. The investigation into the fatal truck crash continues.
Tractor Trailer Crashes Into Rest Stop And Kills Two
May 26, 2011
The driver of a tractor trailer lost control of his rig and slammed into two parked big rigs in the Claysville, Pennsylvania, Welcome Center late Thursday night. Two people were pronounced dead on the scene. The fatal accident occurred at 11:30 p.m. on Interstate 70. Authorities say the tractor trailer lost control after clipping a passenger vehicle on Interstate 70. The crash ended in a wall of fire when the out-of-control tractor trailer burst into flames after colliding with the two parked big rigs. Pennsylvania State Police are still investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
One Seriously Injured After Semi Barrels into Construction Zone
May 19, 2011
A tractor trailer slammed into two cars that were stopped near a construction zone in Harrison County, Ohio on Thursday, seriously injuring at least one person. A construction worker was standing in the middle of the highway, holding a flag to stop motorists on U.S. 22 near Cadiz when the accident occurred. The crash forced the construction worker to take cover on the side of the highway to avoid flying debris. Authorities are unsure why the truck wasn’t able to stop in time to avoid hitting the line of cars. An investigation into the cause of the truck crash continues.
Construction Worker Killed In Big Rig Accident
May 16, 2011
A construction worker was killed in an accident involving a tractor trailer on Monday near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The big rig was southbound on Interstate 25 near Caballo Lake when it slammed into a construction pickup truck. The pickup then hit the construction worker, who died on scene. The construction crew was working on a resurfacing project in the southbound lanes of I-25 at the time of the accident. The semi driver was air lifted to a local hospital. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal truck crash.
US Close To Agreement With Mexico On Cross-Border Trucking
May 12, 2011
United States Treasury Secretary Ray LaHood announced Thursday that the Obama Administration is close to a deal with Mexico that would allow Mexican commercial trucks to enter the United States. The deal would end a standing dispute between both countries that has resulted in Mexico imposing tariffs on U.S. goods. LaHood said a final agreement would be out “very soon” with provisions that ensure the safety of Mexican trucks entering the United States.
Multiple Vehicle Accident Involving Tractor Trailers Kills One and Injures Three
May 6, 2011
One person was declared dead on scene and three others were rushed to area hospitals Friday afternoon when a tractor trailer initiated a fatal five-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in west Shreveport, Louisiana. The incident occurred just before the Bert Kouns Industrial Loop exit, and involved a GMC pickup truck, a Saturn Vue, a Peterbuilt tractor trailer, a Ford Bronco II and a Kenworth tractor trailer. A woman driving the Ford Bronco was pronounced dead by authorities at the scene. Three others were taken to LSU Medical Center to treat their injuries. Authorities are still piecing together the cause of this fatal truck crash.
Tanker Truck Collision Causes Explosion, One Dead
May 3, 2011
A woman was killed Tuesday afternoon in Greenfield Township, Pennsylvania, when her stopped minivan was violently struck by an empty tanker truck. The minivan then burst into flames. The fatal accident occurred around 3:20 p.m. at the intersection of Routes 430 and 89. Authorities say the tanker truck was traveling too fast and failed to see the minivan sitting idly at the intersection. The minivan was transporting filled gas cans, and it is believed that the gasoline caused the explosion and fire. Dense fog may have played a part in the deadly collision. An investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
Serious Injuries In Make-a-Wish Truck Convoy Crash
May 1, 2011
Five people were seriously injured when a Snyder’s pretzel van slammed into a Make-a-Wish box truck on Route 15 in Adams County, Pennsylvania, causing a chain reaction crash involving four vehicles. A procession of nearly 150 Make-a-Wish vehicles came to a complete stop in the right lane of the highway for unknown reasons before the Snyder’s pretzel van hit the back of a box truck in the Make-a-Wish convoy at around 1:00 p.m. Three people in the Snyder’s van were ejected from the vehicle onto the highway, one of which ended up trapped underneath the wreckage. Four people had to be airlifted to York Hospital and Hershey Medical Center with serious injuries. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of this crash.
One Dead in Georgia Big Rig Accident
April 24, 2011
A woman was killed Sunday evening when a tractor trailer slammed into her Nissan passenger vehicle on Interstate 285 near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta, Georgia. Authorities say the tractor trailer driver made an improper lane change and clipped the Nissan, spinning the car into a guard rail along the side of the Interstate where it was hit by the cab of another big rig. The woman driving the Nissan was pronounced dead on the scene. A passenger in the Nissan was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer was taken to Fulton County Jail under charges of second-degree vehicular homicide and improper lane change.
Three Are Dead After Tractor Trailer Collides Head-On With Vehicle
April 22, 2011
An 18-wheeler truck crashed head-on into a passenger vehicle on Friday afternoon near McNeil, Arkansas, killing three people in the car and injuring another. Authorities say the driver of the tractor trailer crossed the center line and entered oncoming traffic before slamming into the passenger vehicle at around 1:00 p.m. on Highway 79. Three of the four passengers in the car were pronounced dead on the scene. The fourth passenger in the vehicle was rushed to an area hospital. An investigation into the cause of the fatal crash continues.
One Dead and Three Injured in Dump Truck Crash
April 13, 2011
A dump truck smashed into a Plymouth Sundance early Wednesday morning in Saint Charles County, Missouri, killing a 67-year-old passenger in the vehicle and injuring three others. The dump truck had trouble negotiating a bend on Highway Z and drifted into oncoming traffic before colliding with the Sundance. The driver of the Sundance sustained moderate injuries in the crash, and the two other passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. The investigation into the cause of this fatal crash continues.
Head-On Collision With Big Rig Kills Denver Man
April 12, 2011
A 24-year-old man was killed early Tuesday morning when a big rig crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with his 1994 Acura. The horrific accident occurred near 70th Avenue and Washington Street in Denver, Colorado at around 8 a.m. According to local authorities, a pickup truck sideswiped the big rig, causing it to lose control and enter oncoming traffic before slamming head-on into the Acura. The driver of the semi was rushed to an area hospital in serious condition. The crash is currently under investigation.
Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Big Rig Accident
March 30, 2011
A woman was killed Wednesday morning when she was struck by a tractor trailer in Santa Monica, California. The woman was walking in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Cotner Avenue when a 1990 Volvo tractor with a double trailer struck her. She was pronounced dead on the scene by first responders. The driver of the tractor trailer was attempting to make a right on Cotner when the accident occurred. Authorities said drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the accident. The investigation into the cause of the fatal accident continues.
$13 Million Awarded to Tractor Trailer Crash Victim
March 29, 2011
Kecia Huckleby was on her way home early in the morning on September 14, 2005 when the car she was riding in slammed into the side of a poorly lit tractor trailer attempting to make a U-turn on U.S. Highway 1 in Nassau County, Florida. Huckleby and her boyfriend, who was driving the car, sustained life threatening injuries in the crash. On Tuesday, a Nassau County jury awarded Huckleby $13 million in damages from the 2005 crash that put her in a coma and left her with brain damage. The jury found the logging truck driver and the trucking company the driver worked for, John T. Lee Inc. to be responsible for the wreck. They also found the Florida Department of Transportation to be partially at fault for the wreck for neglecting to have a “No U-Turn” sign on the highway.
Big Rig Driver Charged in Deadly Crash
March 15, 2011
A tractor trailer crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a Honda Civic on Tuesday, killing the 29-year-old woman driving the car. The accident occurred on Highway 52 in Davidson County, North Carolina. The truck driver, a 28-year-old man from Greensboro, has been formally charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Authorities say drugs or alcohol did not factor into the fatal crash.
Man Dies in Roadside Tractor Trailer Collision
March 12, 2011
A collision involving two big rigs claimed the life of a 19-year-old Pomona man Saturday morning on Interstate 15 near Devore Heights, California. The accident occurred when a tractor trailer swerved onto the shoulder to avoid colliding with slowed traffic. The out of control tractor trailer then collided with the Pomona man’s semi that was parked on the shoulder, killing the 19-year-old instantly. Local law enforcement said the man was parked on the shoulder at the Glen Helen Parkway exit waiting for gas to arrive. The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the exact cause of the fatal crash.
Woman in Critical Condition After Big Rig Crash
March 8, 2011
A woman had to be airlifted to an area hospital for injuries she sustained after her passenger vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer on Tuesday morning. The Orangeburg, South Carolina woman is currently in critical condition. The accident occurred in Orangeburg on the corner of Stonewall Jackson Boulevard and Glover Street when a Kenmore tractor trailer carrying a logging skidder sideswiped the woman’s Chevrolet. The driver of the big rig did not sustain injuries in the crash. No formal charges have been filed as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident.
Big Rig Accident Kills One and Injures Five
March 6, 2011
An accident involving a tractor trailer took the life of a man early Sunday morning on Interstate 75 in Hamilton County, Florida. The crash took place when a semi rear-ended a van causing it to spin out of control and overturn. All five occupants of the van were ejected from their vehicle, including the 36-year-old man, who died in the crash. The four other occupants and the driver of the tractor trailer were taken to nearby hospitals for their injuries. Highway Patrol said formal charges were pending further investigation.
Tractor Trailer Slams Into Multiple Vehicles Killing Two
March 3, 2011
Two women in a Nissan were killed early Thursday morning when their car was struck head-on by a tractor trailer in Hacienda Heights, California. The driver of the semi was heading westbound on the 60 Freeway when he lost control of his tractor trailer and plowed through the center divider before colliding with the Nissan and a minivan. The accident forced all eastbound lanes of the 60 Freeway to be shut down for six hours after the crash, as investigators pieced together the cause of the fatal accident. The investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
Multiple Tractor Trailer Crash Gridlocks 60 Freeway in Pomona
February 25, 2011
An accident involving two cars and two big rigs effectively shut down the 60 freeway in Pomona, California on Friday morning. Several people were injured in the multi-vehicle crash. There were no fatalities. Local authorities say one big rig overturned on top of a car near Phillips Ranch Road. Three lanes of the highway had to be shut down for hours after the 3 a.m. crash. Authorities are currently looking into the cause of the crash.
Deadly Tractor Trailer Accident in Kentucky Kills Three and Injures Four
February 23, 2011
Three members of a family were killed early Wednesday morning on Interstate 65 near Glendale, Kentucky when a Fed-Ex tractor trailer collided with the back of their Nissan Pathfinder, causing it to overturn. The family was returning to Chicago from a wedding in Florida when the tractor trailer struck the back of their vehicle, sending it out of control and ejecting three of the passengers. Four other family members traveling in the Nissan were taken to area hospitals for their injuries. The truck’s driver, unharmed in the accident, was taken to an area hospital for a routine toxicology test. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal crash.
Fatal Crash in Goodland Township Kills One and Injures Three
February 20, 2011
A woman sitting in the passenger seat of a 2002 Chrysler 300M was killed Sunday night when her car was struck by a tractor trailer in Goodland Township, Michigan. Authorities say weather might have been a contributing factor in the crash that injured three others in the car, including the driver and two backseat passengers. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal tractor trailer crash.
Infant and Parents Seriously Injured in Tractor Trailer Crash
February 12, 2011
A tractor trailer slammed into three cars Saturday night on Interstate 75 in Cobb County, Georgia, sending a married couple and their 6-month-old infant to a nearby hospital in serious condition. The family was stopped in bumper-to-bumper traffic when the big rig truck plowed into the back of their vehicle, then sideswiped another car. Cobb County police said the driver of the tractor trailer did not brake before hitting the passenger vehicles. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the multi-vehicle accident.
Semi Truck Accident Leaves Florida Man Seriously Injured
February 10, 2011
A man was seriously injured early Thursday morning after colliding with a tractor trailer on State Road 207 highway in St. Augustine, Florida. The crash occurred when the tractor trailer pulled out in front of a Honda Civic, causing the car to crash underneath the trailer portion of the semi. According to authorities the big rig did not see the car. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
18-Wheeler Truck Sideswiped a School Bus
February 8, 2011
An 18-wheeler truck sideswiped a school bus then collided head-on with a second school bus on Tuesday in Jackson, Mississippi. The driver of the tractor-trailer truck, as well as a bus driver and a teacher died in the wreck. At least 17 Ackerman High School students were injured in the crash, authorities said. The group of about 60 students was returning home from a day spent visiting an area college campus. The impact of the crash left one of the school buses dangling dangerously over the guard rail of a Mississippi highway overpass bridge. According to authorities, the big rig crossed into the wrong lane before crashing into the buses. Mississippi authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
One Dead and One Injured in Tractor Trailer Crash
January 30, 2011
A woman died and a man was injured on Saturday when their vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer in Gonzales County, Texas. The man was driving northbound on U.S. 183 when a southbound tractor trailer veered into his lane and collided with his BMW. A woman traveling as a passenger in the BMW was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:15 a.m. The tractor trailer driver was uninjured. The fatal semi crash is under investigation.
Tractor Trailer Crash Kills One in Ashe County, North Carolina
January 26, 2011
A man was killed in Ashe County on Wednesday, when his pick-up truck was struck by a tractor trailer in the height of a snowstorm. The accident occurred on NC highway 88, four miles east of the town of Jefferson when the driver of a tractor trailer crossed the center lane and hit a pick-up truck. The driver of the tractor trailer has since been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fatal crash.
Woman Dead After Head-On Collision With Mack Truck
January 18, 2011
A woman is dead after a Tuesday morning crash with a tractor trailer east of Lewisville, Arkansas. According to authorities a 37-year-old woman driving a Nissan on U.S. Highway 82 was killed when a Mack truck crossed the center line and hit her vehicle head-on. The driver of the Mack truck was injured in the crash. It is unclear what caused the truck to veer from its lane and collide with the Nissan. The fatal crash is under investigation.
Head-On Collision with Semi Leaves One Dead
January 16, 2011
A person was killed on Sunday when a tractor trailer collided head-on with a car in North Dakota. According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, a semi was traveling northbound on U.S. 281 in Eddy County when it crossed the center line and collided with a southbound Chevy. The driver of the Chevy was killed in the crash and the driver of the truck was not injured. Authorities are investigating the fatal truck crash.
Motorcyclist in Critical Condition after Collision with Tractor Trailer
January 12, 2011
A motorcyclist is in critical condition after sliding under a tractor trailer that crossed into his path on Wednesday in Manhattan Beach, California. According to authorities, a flatbed truck crossed into the path of the motorcycle as both vehicles entered the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd and Valley Drive. The motorcyclist then slid under the trailer and was run over by the rear wheels of the truck. The injured motorcyclist was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery and remains in critical condition. The driver of the semi was not hurt. Authorities are investigating the crash.
Couple and Their Dog Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash Sparked by Big Rig
January 5, 2011
A tractor trailer failed to slow down at a construction zone and rear ended a car on Wednesday, killing both occupants of the car as well as their dog. According to authorities, the initial crash sparked a four-vehicle wreck that injured four other people. The crash occurred on the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Palm Bay, Florida. A tractor trailer failed to stop for traffic that had slowed in a construction zone and then slammed into a car, dragging it 760 feet. The fatal multi-vehicle crash is under investigation.
Tractor Trailer Rear-Ends SUV, Injuring Two and Killing Unborn Child
January 3, 2011
An unborn child was killed when an SUV was sandwiched between two tractor trailers on Monday. According to authorities, a big rig was stopped at a red light on Highway 59 in Diboll, Texas, and an SUV was stopped behind it. A second tractor trailer then rear-ended the SUV, pushing it into the rear of the first semi. The woman driving the SUV vehicle, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant, as well as the passenger in the SUV, were taken to area hospitals. The pregnant woman later lost the baby due to her injuries. Authorities said the truck driver failed to see the SUV. He has been cited for failure to control speed. Both big rig drivers were uninjured in the crash. The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing.
