SEWARD COUNTY, Calif.—Sergey Korotash, 38, and Mikhail Tarbeev, 41, tragically died March 31 when the semi they were traveling in crashed near Milford, Nebraska.
The California residents were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. They lived in Sacramento and Carmichael, respectively.
According to local officials, the semi was westbound on Interstate 80 when its driver lost control, and the vehicle overturned. It is unclear which victim was driving when the crash occurred.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Authorities said road conditions appeared to have played a role in the crash but have not released any additional information.
Thoughts on the fatal accident that claimed the lives of two California men
This tragic accident will undoubtedly leave the victims’ families with many unanswered questions. Sudden and unexpected deaths are extremely difficult. I have found that everyone deals with loss in their own personal way, and no two ways are alike. Some want to know exactly what happened, while others want to know as little detail as possible. However, for the most part, I have found that families want to know why the crash happened.
With single-vehicle rollover accidents, it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly what caused the accident. Nevertheless, there are certain indicators that can highlight common causes. For instance, it is important to look at the driving history leading up to the accident. If the driver had been overworked, it is possible the driver was fatigued. Further details into the employer’s policies and procedures would be relevant to determine if the employer was partly responsible for the ultimate loss. On the other hand, a close examination of the truck can reveal defects in the mechanical integrity that rendered driver inputs futile. This is less common than fatigue or distraction but still happens more often than most folks realize.
The point is that there is far more here than what is readily apparent, and the families impacted deserve to know the information they need to move forward. The first step in this process is ordering the accident report. My firm can help do this, or the families can reach out to local authorities. The accident report will provide greater insight into appropriate steps forward. Until then, I pray that the victims’ families can find peace during this difficult time of grief.
Disclaimer: Our firm uses this blog to start important conversations about consumer safety. Those impacted by this accident, or an accident like it, can reach out to our firm for further information or to have this article removed. This content should not be construed as legal counsel or advice.
