An accident involving a large commercial truck and a Nissan Xterra occurred in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (PA). The driver, a West Virginia native, was operating a water tank truck along Route 88 when he lost control at a right-hand curve tumbling into the northbound lane. The truck rolled onto the driver’s side and continued to roll over a hillside and into a garage.
While falling into the northbound lane, the truck crashed into Rachael Kelly’s Nissan Xterra. She was injured and had to be flown by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment. State police continue to investigate the crash and what caused the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle.
This awful incident is a reminder that truck drivers must exercise the utmost care and caution while operating large commercial big rigs and 18-wheelers.
Though the details of this rollover wreck are not clear, it appears as though the wreck may have been caused by the manner in which the driver made the right turn. In order to make a safe right turn without dragging the trailer or tanker across the curb, a trucker usually veers slightly towards the left before turning to ensure a wider turn. If the turn is too sharp, it could result in a scenario where either the tractor cannot complete the full turn or the driver loses control of the vehicle.
If an accident occurs, it is important to obtain a truck driver’s contact information, the name of the trucking company, and DOT license numbers on the tractor and any trailer attached. Trucking companies also have a procedure, but their intent is to reduce their liability by any means. The events following an accident include, but are not limited to, silencing the truck driver, removing any damaging evidence from the truck, seizing and retaining evidence that the victim must later discover and demand, and interviewing witnesses first to try to influence their statements.