SMITH COUNTY, Tenn.–Two people died March 15 in a terrible accident on eastbound Interstate 40.
State troopers said a passenger vehicle ran underneath a tractor-trailer as the truck slowed down because of a previous crash involving a jackknifed tanker truck blocking all eastbound lanes of traffic.
Officials have not yet identified the victims or details on the vehicle they were traveling. An investigation into the crash is underway. No additional information was immediately available.
Thoughts on the fatal semi-truck accident on interstate 40 in Smith County
For any given accident, there are multiple causes. For instance, from the limited facts we have available, we know the deceased victims would be alive had the tanker not jack-knifed. This is the apparent cause of the accident. However, there may be many others. Was the driver of the other semi distracted and braked late, preventing the deceased from avoiding the accident? Or, on the other hand, was the semi’s trailer equipped with underguards designed to prevent cars from riding under the trailer and killing fellow motorists? Without a detailed investigation, there is no way of knowing the occurrences leading up to this accident.
It is important to uncover the facts surrounding an accident. The unexpected passing of a loved one is extraordinarily difficult and often derails the family’s life in many ways. From the financial burden to the loss of love and companionship, life is never the same. If another’s wrong caused this pain, there should be an accounting. For instance, suppose the driver of the jack-knifed semi was drunk at the time of the accident. Should that driver be off the hook simply because the deceased struck a semi a few vehicles back instead of the one jack-knifed?
It is possible this crash was an unfortunate accident. However, if it wasn’t, the families deserve to know so they can make the best decision moving forward. I pray the families of the deceased victims may receive the support and assistance they need and find the peace they need to move forward.
Disclaimer: Our firm uses this blog to start important conversations about consumer safety. We encourage those impacted by this accident, or an accident like it, to reach out to our firm for further information regarding their rights or if they would like the article removed. This content should not be construed as legal counsel or advice.
