White Pine, Tennessee — A semi-truck driver lost his life after being run over by another semi-truck at the Pilot gas station on Roy Messer Highway in White Pine. The incident took place Friday night.
According to reports, Gary M. Clark was walking through the Pilot Travel Center parking lot when a truck struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
After striking Clark, the truck driver entered the store for approximately 20 minutes. Upon returning to his truck, other drivers notified him of the possibility that he had run over Clark. The driver re-entered his truck and left the parking lot despite this information. Authorities are actively working to identify the driver through video surveillance footage from the gas station.
No further updates have been provided.
Thoughts on pedestrian and semi-truck accidents
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 5,788 people died in large-truck crashes in 2021, with non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists, making up 11% of that number. This tragic incident is a stark reminder of truck drivers’ responsibilities, particularly in areas like gas stations where pedestrians frequently walk.
Truck drivers play a crucial role in road safety, given the substantial size of their vehicles. They must adhere to rules outlined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, ensuring heightened caution and awareness, especially in areas with pedestrian traffic. The responsibilities extend to checking mirrors, driving at a controlled speed, avoiding distractions, and refraining from speeding. When these responsibilities are not met, and someone loses their life, accountability has to happen.
Trucking companies also share the duty of placing safe drivers on the road, necessitating thorough training, vetting for repeated traffic violations, and equipping trucks with advanced safety features like collision avoidance technology. When they fail to do this, they may also bear fault if someone is harmed or killed.
The family affected by this tragic incident deserve answers. Trained professionals must conduct an independent investigation to help the family with any lingering questions and to receive justice for any determined wrongdoing from another party.
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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.
