Seven cars were demolished and one person killed when an 18-wheeler driver inexplicably failed to apply his brakes, causing him to plow into a line of cars on Interstate 35 in Texas. The accident remains under what authorities are calling a criminal investigation, but brake maintenance and trucker fatigue in semi wrecks are sometimes identified as causes in semi wrecks. In addition to the death, three occupants of cars hit in the incident were taken to hospitals for treatment. The driver was given a field sobriety test but was not taken into custody.
Witnesses say that the semi truck didn’t brake or even slow down for traffic merging into one lane due to highway construction. One person who saw the crash said it looked like the 18-wheeler was plowing through confetti. Police said that it was presently unknown why the trucker, instead of slowing or stopping, struck the rearmost vehicle and caused a chain reaction accident that ultimately involved seven cars.
– Article By Richard Weaver
Rescue personnel had to completely saw off the roof of one pickup truck to extricate those inside. One injured person had to be airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital, where he was still in critical condition. Two car occupants were taken to local Fort Worth hospitals for treatment. Various mangled car parts were strewn all over the crash site. The Interstate was backed up for miles after the accident due to the debris and the police investigation.
Semi truck accidents can kill and injure, but they can also cause devastation to entire families if a death or serious injury occurs. An attorney experienced in truck accident litigation in Texas may be able to help arrange compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses or burial expenses and other damages.
Source: 8 ABC, “Traffic snarled along I-35 in Itasca following 7-vehicle fatality accident”, Madeline Schmitt & Rebecca Lopez, August 09, 2013
