David Erikson Dies in an Accident with an Unoccupied Log Truck on South Route 19 in Nicholas County, West Virginia

Nicholas County, W.Va. – One person died when their vehicle collided with a log truck. The log truck was parked, unloaded, and unoccupied adjacent to the road on South Route 19, near the crest of Powells Mountain, close to Birch River. The truck had a warning flag visibly displayed.

The deceased has been identified as David Erikson.

No additional details have been released.

Thoughts on fatal wrecks with parked semi-trucks

Families continue to lose loved ones because commercial trucks keep parking in unsafe spaces. The shoulder of a moving lane of traffic is no place for a massive semi-truck to stop. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that large trucks only utilize road shoulders in emergencies. When trucks park on road shoulders unnecessarily, they pose significant risks to other motorists.

While we know the truck had a warning flag visibly displayed, this does not mean the trucker had a legitimate reason for parking next to the shoulder. We are currently handling multiple cases across the country just like this. When truck drivers choose to park next to a moving land of traffic, people are killed. Such actions must be held accountable for the immeasurable loss they bring.

While the circumstances surrounding the truck’s parking in this incident require further investigation, holding accountable any truck driver who improperly parks on road shoulders is essential. Compliance with safety regulations is crucial in ensuring the safety of all motorists.

We cannot continue to allow parked semis to endanger lives on the road. Something has to change.

We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Erikson’s family and loved ones.

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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.