FREMONT, Ca—A Freemont accident left 35-year-old Joseph O’Connell dead. The accident occurred around noon on January 7, west of Interstate 880, near Christy Street and Stewart Avenue.
O’Connell was traveling northbound in a gray Volkswagen Passat when he struck a semi-trailer parked on the north shoulder of Stewart Avenue.
Authorities have not specified what caused O’Connell to strike the semi-trailer or why the semi-trailer was parked on the shoulder of the road.
Authorities closed Stewart Avenue to investigate.
Commentary on the Fatal Car Accident in Fremont that Killed Joseph O’Connell
I am saddened to learn of this tragic accident and the subsequent death of Mr. O’Connell. I offer my sincerest condolences to Mr. O’Connell’s family and hope for their solace during this time of grief.
Questions concerning this crash remain unanswered with the sparse details provided by authorities. Despite the limited information available, many folks will look at this accident and conclude Mr. O’Connell is responsible for this accident because he hit a parked semi-truck. While this argument may have merit on the surface, it is far from the complete story.
Highway shoulders are known as Clear Zones. Clear Zones are unobstructed, relatively flat areas beyond the edge of a travel way. These Clear Zones allow drivers to stop safely or regain control of a vehicle in emergency situations. A Clear Zone is not a designated parking area for commercial vehicles. When a semi-truck uses a Clear Zone as a parking lot, passing motorists are subjected to a severe risk of harm.
I have to question why this commercial vehicle was parked how it was? Was the driver required to pull over in compliance with commercial driving standards? Had the truck experienced a mechanical failure due to poor maintenance? The answers to these questions cannot be found in the preliminary investigations. A thorough review of the corporation’s maintenance policies, driving records, and the accident scene will need to be conducted before answers can be provided to this grieving family.
Disclaimer: All information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the author’s opinion. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
