Cement Truck Driver Reportedly Falls Asleep, Causing Multi-Vehicle Crash in Idaho Falls at the intersection of 17th Street/Pancheri Drive and Yellowstone Highway

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Two people were taken to the hospital after a cement truck triggered a chain-reaction collision at the intersection of 17th Street/Pancheri Drive and Yellowstone Highway on Tuesday afternoon.

The crash occurred when the southbound cement truck drifted out of its lane and entered the intersection, where several vehicles were stopped in the northbound turn lane. Police say the truck struck a Dodge Dakota and a Ford F-150 before continuing forward and hitting a Toyota Avalon, which was then pushed into a Dodge Dart and a nearby SUV.

The drivers of the Dodge Dakota and Toyota Avalon were transported by ambulance with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Officers say the cement truck driver reported he had become drowsy and fallen asleep before losing control of the vehicle.

When Tired Truck Drivers Cause Crashes, the Injured Deserve Accountability

A sleepy driver should never be behind the wheel. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence, impairing a driver’s ability to function safely.

So why was this fatigued truck driver on the road? People on the road have the right to expect commercial drivers to be alert, trained, and fit to drive. When a sleepy driver causes a collision, we need to ask: Was the driver overworked or pressured to keep moving while tired? Were hours-of-service rules followed? Did the company have proper safety policies and enforcement in place?

The injured deserve answers. But our decades of experience show that trucking companies often do everything they can to avoid tough questions and shift blame. The right truck accident attorneys will make sure the driver’s logbooks, hours on the road, safety policies, and training records are brought to light, and that all responsible parties are held accountable.

We hope the injured individuals make a full recovery and find the answers they need.

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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in auto and truck accidents that result in serious injury or death.

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.