Ithaca, NY — Seven people were injured and one person was killed when the driver of a tractor trailer drove into a popular restaurant in Ithaca, New York, on Friday, June 20, 2014. The accident took place around four in the afternoon.
The driver of the tractor trailer has been identified as Viacheslav Grychanyi. Officials say that Grychanyi had turned onto North Aurora St. to avoid a group of construction workers on the Ithaca Commons. As Grychanyi turned onto Aurora, he hit a billboard before crashing into Simeon’s On the Commons, a local restaurant.
Killed in the accident was Amanda Bush. Several others were injured. Witnesses have said that Grychanyi made no attempt to brake or sound his horn before the accident.
The collision destroyed the building’s front corner. In the coming days, city officials will be on-site trying to determine if the building can be saved.
The accident is still being investigated.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
Accidents like these can be tough to evaluate for anyone removed from the scene. The driver of the tractor trailer drove down Aurora to avoid a group of construction workers. That much is simple. But what caused the accident? A quick look at Google Maps shows that the truck had more than enough room to move around. More than enough room to avoid crashing into one of the buildings, in any case.
Witnesses say that the truck driver didn’t hit his brakes or sound his horn before the collision. Was he in some way incapacitated? Is whatever caused him to avoid hitting his brakes the same thing caused him to crash into the building in the first place?
In any case, the driver, and by extension, the trucking company, is liable for the accident. Not only for the extensive damage it’s caused, but for the people it injured and the life it took. And they’re going to need to find a way to make that right.
— Grossman Law Offices
