Town of Gouverneur, NY – A Fatal three-vehicle collision on US Highway 11 in the Town of Gouverneur claimed two lives on Friday morning. The incident involved a tractor-trailer, a Toyota Rav4, and a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
According to reports, the tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound when it veered into the opposite lane. It sideswiped a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Rav4.
Joshua Amo was driving the Rav4 and lost his life at the scene of the collision. Gonzalo Ramirez-Zuniga, another passenger in the Rav4, succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Rosa Maria-Solis, a third passenger in the Rav4, suffered minor injuries.
The Chevy Silverado driver emerged unharmed from the incident.
No further details have been provided.
Thoughts on fatal truck crashes
An average vehicle is no match for the size and impact of a semi-truck in a head-on collision. Because of this, commercial drivers must be the safest drivers on the road. The Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carrier Standards (FHWA) states the following:
“Because of the greater potential for loss of life, serious injury, and significant property damage in accident involving CMV’s, the FHWA’s regulations (in 49 CFR Part 383) hold drivers of these vehicles to a higher standard of conduct than other highway users.”
When fatal accidents happen involving a commercial truck, the truck driver’s conduct must be investigated. Many factors can cause a head-on collision: driver distraction, fatigue, speed, unfamiliar roads, and driving under the influence are the usual culprits. Life on the roadways is harsh, and truckers spend a significant amount of time driving, making them vulnerable to dangerous choices on the road, for example, driving while texting or talking on the phone, speeding to meet deadlines, and driving past regulated hours, allowing fatigue to take over.
When poor choices lead to fatal accidents, accountability has to happen—accountability from the truck driver and the trucking company that employs them.
The surviving families deserve answers. A detailed investigation will gather all the facts and details of the crash and determine whether it was a mechanical issue, driver error, or something else that led to three people losing their lives. The surviving families deserve to hold those responsible accountable for the pain and suffering they have inflicted on them.
May the truth of what happened come out soon.
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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.
