CARTER COUNTY, Okla. — Samuel Jim, a 31-year-old truck driver from Jacksonville, N.C., died Thursday in a crash on Interstate 35, less than 2 miles south of Ardmore.
According to the state highway patrol, Jim was driving a 2019 Freightliner M2 bucket truck north on I-35 when he lost control of the vehicle on the icy roadway at about 4:40 p.m. The Freightliner veered off the right side of the road, overturned, and came to rest on the driver’s side.
Jim was partially ejected and pinned beneath the vehicle for more than two hours. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
A 23-year-old man traveling in the vehicle as a passenger was taken to a local hospital to treat an arm injury.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. No additional details were immediately available.
Commentary on the Fatal Truck Accident that Caused Death of Mr. Samuel Jim
It is concerning Mr. Jim was partially ejected from his vehicle during the rollover sequence. Semi-trucks often protect occupants in the event of a rollover. However, if the occupant is ejected, little protection can be offered.
My question is, what caused Mr. Jim to be ejected? Failing to utilize restraint systems is the primary cause of an occupant being ejected from a vehicle. However, a properly restrained occupant can be partially or fully ejected when the deigned restraint system fails to work correctly. This can occur from a seatbelt that fails to lock in place, does not latch properly, or unlatches during the collision.
Further investigation will need to be conducted before it can be determined what caused Mr. Jim to be ejected outside the protection of his vehicle. Until that time, I extend my condolences to Mr. Jim’s family as they grapple with their unspeakable loss.
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