La Porte County, Indiana – The Driver of a semi-truck involved in a major crash leading to serious injuries has been apprehended. Gabriel Guzman, 43, now faces charges related to the incident. Guzman is charged with a Level 6 felony for Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
The events unfolded on Sunday night when Guzman, holding a commercial driver’s license from Mexico, was reportedly traveling slowly or stopped between the middle and right eastbound lanes. Guzman’s trailer was rear-ended by a 2015 Ford F250, pinning the Ford driver from the waist down by the dashboard.
Watrous sustained fractures to his hip, right leg, right wrist, and left elbow, along with bruised lungs, a damaged spleen, right knee, and possible damage to his bladder. The bone in his left leg was also split from hip to toe.
Guzman was found parked between other semi-trucks at the new Love’s truck stop near I-94 along U.S. 421. Guzman’s trailer displayed significant damage, with the truck itself leaking fluids.
Guzman claimed a blown tire and snow on the shoulder as reasons for not pulling off the travel lanes. However, investigators noted that the shoulder did not contain any snow. Guzman’s truck will be inspected to determine if there was a flat tire or any other possible mechanical issue.
Guzman now faces charges for Unlawful Stopping on a Traveling Portion of a Highway.
Thoughts on holding people responsible for creating dangerous situations for others
A truck driver cannot create a dangerous situation for other motorists and then blame someone else when an accident occurs. The truck driver’s decisions need to be investigated to ensure the injured receives the answers and justice he may deserve.
If the truck did have a mechanical issue, one aspect that demands scrutiny is the responsibility of truck drivers to address the mechanical issues before a dangerous situation arises. If a mechanical issue is unavoidable, drivers need to be trained on the safest thing to do.
Additionally, trucking companies play a crucial role in ensuring their trucks are in proper working condition. Regular inspections of vehicles are essential in preventing accidents of this nature.
The injured party faces physical challenges and the prospect of significant medical expenses. Holding truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for lapses in safety measures is crucial. It ensures the injured receives the necessary support to cope with the aftermath of this life-altering incident. Accountability will also help prevent similar accidents in the future.
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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.
