STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – A multi-vehicle crash involving three vehicles, including a tractor-trailer hauling beer, claimed the lives of two drivers Wednesday morning on Interstate 95. The accident took place at approximately 4:40 a.m. near mile marker 136.
According to the Virginia State Police, the incident unfolded when a northbound 2022 Freightliner tractor-trailer attempted to merge into the right lane from the center lane. In the process, it collided with a northbound 2014 Nissan Altima. The impact caused both vehicles to swerve into the left lane, where they collided with a northbound 2010 Subaru Forester. Subsequently, all three vehicles veered off the left side of the interstate and crashed into a guardrail.
The consequences were devastating as the tractor-trailer overturned, landing on top of the Nissan and Subaru. Sadly, both drivers of the smaller vehicles lost their lives at the scene. The driver of the Nissan, identified as 50-year-old Johnathan L. Booth of Fredericksburg, and the driver of the Subaru, identified as 67-year-old Keith M. Paddeu of Quinton, succumbed to their injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries and received treatment at Mary Washington Hospital. After his medical evaluation, he was arrested and charged with reckless driving.
The Trucker, Trucking Company, and All Other Wrongdoers Must be Held Accountable
I am deeply saddened to learn of two innocent motorists killed by the negligence of a commercial operator. We trust commercial truckers to exercise extreme caution while operating commercial vehicles. When this is not done, innocent people are seriously injured and killed.
The surviving families will need answers about why such a preventable mistake was made. Was the trucker tired from driving beyond legal limits? Was he under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Was he distracted by something in his truck? A detailed investigation into the conduct leading up to the crash will provide answers to these questions.
It will also be important to determine the actions of the trucking company, broker of the product, and others. Did the company implement safety procedures and controls to ensure its drivers operated safely? Did the broker of the load hire a trucking company that was unfit to transport?
We have found that most clear cases of negligence result from poor management and training. Holding the trucking company responsible is one of the surest ways to ensure safer policies are implemented, and routinely negligent companies are closed. In some instances, the surviving family can predicate settlements on mandatory safety changes at the organizational level. This leads to safer communities for us all.
This is a devastating crash, and I hope those suffering are provided the support and care they need to endure this difficult time of grief.
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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with extensive experience in complex auto/tire defect and commercial vehicle cases.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.
