Allen County, Indiana — The two individuals killed in a fatal crash last Thursday, Susannah C. Truax, 27, of Bunker Hill, Indiana, and Logan Gibson, 25, of Kendallville, Indiana, were identified.
Both Ms. Truax and Mr. Gibson succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries sustained when a semi-truck that crossed the median on U.S. 24 near Bruick Road in eastern Allen County struck
their pickup truck.
The driver of the semi-truck was injured in the collision.
No further details are available at the moment.
Thoughts on fatal truck crashes.
Every day, people use the roadways to run errands, visit friends, and go shopping. No one expects these everyday road trips to end their lives. Sadly, a semi-truck veered into ongoing traffic, causing a head-on collision and cutting Ms. Truax and Mr. Gibson’s lives short.
Head-on collisions cause the most fatalities of all roadway accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that head-on collisions accounted for 27 percent of all roadway departure fatalities between 2016 and 2018, claiming over 10,000 lives. Sadly, avoidable mistakes often play a role in these deadly crashes.
Fatigue is one of the main culprits of head-on collisions. This is why federal law limits the hours truck drivers are allowed to drive on the road. However, there are many drivers and companies out there that blatantly disregard these rules. Fatigued drivers drive over the legal hours to meet deadlines. Trucking companies may also encourage drivers to drive beyond limits to increase revenue. When these actions result in preventable crashes, truck drivers and the companies they work for must be held responsible.
Distraction is another common cause of head-on crashes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers who use cell phones are six times more likely to cause an unintentional lane deviation. We have handled many cases where truck drivers were on their phones and caused collisions that could have easily been avoided if their attention had been on the road. Ensuring truck drivers remain alert and attentive starts at the top. Companies must implement and adhere to safety training and policies that ensure their drivers remain focused on the road at all times. Taking your eyes off the road for even a second can lead to devastating crashes.
Finally, while not as common, approximately 10% of truck accidents are caused by a mechanical issue of some type. It would not be fair to rule out a manufacturing defect or faulty repair job as the cause of the accident before conducting a detailed investigation. If the trucker was unable to control his truck because of a defect or a sudden emergency, there may be additional parties responsible for this crash.
Ms. Truax and Mr. Gibson’s families deserve answers as to what led to their loved one’s passing. Once this information is clearly established, all wrongdoers should be held responsible for the innocent deaths their actions caused.
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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.
