LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. —Larry Perry, a 64-year-old truck driver, tragically lost his life Feb. 2 when he crashed his tractor-trailer into another big rig parked on the shoulder of Interstate 95.
According to local authorities, Perry’s semi hit the rear of the semi parked on the shoulder near mile marker 71. The impact of the collision pushed the parked tractor-trailer several feet and destroyed the cab of Perry’s tractor.
Officials pronounced Perry dead at the scene of the accident. The driver of the parked rig, 43-year-old Fortuna Castenda, was transported to a local hospital to treat minor injuries.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. No additional details were immediately available.
Commentary on the Fatal Truck Accident in Georgia
Commercial vehicles must use designated rest areas to attend to personal matters. This rule is not always followed. For one, if a driver fails to plan properly, a driver’s 18-wheeler can be disabled due to driving limits. The law requires commercial drivers to adhere strictly to time limits to protect fellow motorists from accidents caused by fatigue. Employers must ensure drivers take adequate breaks and plan routes appropriately. Failing to plan appropriately is not a reason to use roadsides as parking spots.
Truck drivers also park illegally when their vehicle breaks down for mechanical reasons. However, a mechanical issue does not automatically relieve a party from liability in situations like this. It is important to look into past conduct to ensure the driver and employer took proper precautions to ensure the truck functioned properly. No company can prevent all mechanical issues, but routine maintenance prevents the majority. There is no way of knowing the maintenance schedule of this truck from the information provided. Likewise, there is no way of determining the truck used proper safety devices to warn fellow travelers of the disabled 18-wheeler. Both these situations would need to be examined before any conclusions can be drawn in this case.
This accident serves as an important reminder to us all to take all precautions possible to protect fellow drivers. If mechanical failure renders us disabled on the road’s side, warn other travelers, pull as far off the road as possible, and do what is necessary to remove the vehicle as quickly as possible. These steps will save lives.
Disclaimer: On our blog, we report on recent catastrophic accidents to begin important conversations about consumer safety. If these resources are found to include any false or outdated information, we invite you to contact The Ammons Law Firm as soon as possible so we may correct the issue. This content should not be construed as legal counsel or advice.
