According to the Jefferson Post, a driver from South Carolina (SC) was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle due to an accident that killed a Sparta man. The crash occurred last Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at approximately 10:30 am.
North Carolina (NC) Highway Patrol Officer Chuck Olive reported that a man from West Columbia, SC, was traveling east on NC 88 when he lost control of his 2005 Kenworth tractor trailer. Driving on a snow-covered highway, he struck a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by 53-year-old Roger Dean Fender of Sparta, dead on. The victim was pinned in his vehicle, and several hours passed before the tractor trailer could be extricated from his truck.
The tractor-trailer driver was driven to Ashe Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 17, and the crash investigation is continuing.
This tragic event highlights the importance of driving safely under snowy conditions, which we all must take extra steps to do during this especially bad winter. With the wet and icy weather the country has been seeing recently, it is no surprise that deadly accidents on the road are becoming more frequent. Check that your car is well-prepared for snow emergencies. Drive slowly and carefully, leaving plenty of extra time to get to your destination.
If you drive for a living, as the tractor-trailer operater did in this case, you bear a special responsibility to act safely on the road. If you think that a truck driver is liable for your injury due to negligence or recklessness, contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible.
IW