On Wednesday, April 17th, a collision between a semi-truck and a recreational vehicle left one person dead and another in critical condition. The crash occurred in an Eastbound lane of Interstate 40 and ignited a grass fire in the area. The Moriarity Fire Department responded to the blaze at approximately 10:30 a.m. after RV burst into flames.
Officials closed I-40 to Eastbound traffic and the public was encouraged to avoid the area.
Currently, no other details about the crash or the identity of those involved have been released.
Trucking Crashes on the Rise Across the U.S.
This tragic incident is another in a startling trend across the United States. While traffic deaths have declined from a 10 year high in 2021, the NHTSA reports indicate that fatalities in crashes involving large trucks actually increased in 2022. That year, nearly 6,000 people were killed in trucking collisions.
Unfortunately, in these incidents, occupants of smaller passenger vehicles and non-motorists are most likely to be killed. In fact, more than 80 percent of people killed in collisions involving large trucks are someone other than the occupant of the truck. In fact, over half of truck occupant deaths occur in single-vehicle collisions, such as overturns or jackknife incidents.
According to attorney Brian Colón, the risk to other motorists is pronounced in these types of incidents. “Trucking crashes disproportionately affect occupants of passenger vehicles. The size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger cars often leads to tragic outcomes, where those in smaller vehicles bear the brunt of the impact and suffer the most severe consequences.”
“Of course,” Colón added, “every traffic death is tragic and often preventable, especially in cases where negligence is a factor.”
The trucking industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), yet companies and drivers often skirt safety regulations. Although it is unclear if that was the case here, common FMCSA violations include exceeding drive time limits, not taking required breaks, hiring unqualified drivers, inadequate vehicle maintenance, among others.
Interstate 40 Crash Victims
While the identities of crash victims have not yet been released, their families are likely already dealing with the devastating aftermath.
“The days following the loss of a loved one in a car crash are often disorienting and painful for families, marked by a sense of shock and an overwhelming grief,” attorney Brian Colón also added. “As difficult as this time, speaking with an experienced attorney can help ease the burden that comes with it and help families find a path forward.”
If you or a loved one have been involved in a tragic highway traffic accident, contact Singleton Schreiber today by phone or email, info@singletonschreiber.com.
