Medical Examiner: Truck Driver's Heart Condition Not a Factor in Fatal Crash | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

A tow truck driver’s medical condition did not cause an accident in June 2011 in which both the man and another wrecker operator died, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk, Virginia (VA), reports. According to the Daily Press, the driver, John Patrick, lost control of his tow truck and crashed into another driver. Though the tow truck driver had a heart condition, experts say it did not contribute to the crash.

The accident occurred on I-64 between the Jefferson Avenue and Victory Boulevard in Newport News. The other tow truck driver killed in the accident, Warren Bills, was stopped on the side of the road, responding to a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The crash caused Patrick’s truck to flip over and skid over 400 feet on its roof. Sources say the two drivers knew one another.

As a Virginia truck accident attorney, I’ve seen the devastation these types of car crashes can cause. You can never really prepare yourself for a wreck of this magnitude.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims. Tow truck drivers provide an important but frequently dangerous duty to their communities. Though the investigation of this crash is still ongoing, both families deserve to know what happened that day and why the accident occurred.

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