Lincoln County, MS — Police are reporting that the driver of an 18-wheeler was killed when his truck drove off the road and ran into a tree. The accident took place in Lincoln County, Mississippi, on Sunday, June 1, 2014.
Henry Thomas has been identified as the driver of an 18-wheeler owned by Heartland Express and hauling a load of dog food when he drive off the highway and hit a tree before catching fire. Authorities report that Thomas died at the scene.
It’s unknown if Thomas was wearing a seat belt at the time.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
Unfortunately, 18-wheelers tend to be less secure than many believe them to be. I’ve always likened them to garden sheds bolted onto lead plates. That plate is capable of doing some damage, but the cab itself is not strong at all, and smashing into something substantial is going to get ripped to shreds. There have also been several cases in which the placement of the truck’s fuel tanks have made it easier for the them to be punctured and burst into flames. Overall, safety is an area in which the trucking industry could be doing better.
What happened in this accident? How fast was the truck moving when it collided with the tree? Is it possible that some design flaw in the truck contributed to the victim’s death? Admittedly, it’s one possible out of several, but one that should be looked at.
— Grossman Law Offices
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