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Brad Griffitt Dies After Tanker Truck Accident on Anthony Wayne Trail in Maumee, OH


Update [October 15, 2014]: Police confirmed that Brad Griffitt recently passed away from his injuries. He was in a coma at a hospital since this accident, but passed away this Monday (October 13). The truck driver responsible for the accident, Holland resident Mike Barr, is allegedly facing some criminal charges.

Maumee, OH — Three members of a construction crew were injured when a tanker truck passed by and hit their lighted sign truck in Maumee, Ohio, on Friday, September 19, 2014.

Brad Griffitt and a co-worker were working along Anthony Wayne Trail when a tanker truck passed by and crashed into their own truck. News reports have said that Mike Barr, the driver of the tanker truck, had fallen asleep at the wheel. Griffitt was the most seriously injured of the three workers. He, along with the two others, were taken to the University of Toledo Medical Center. No information on his condition has been released.

The accident pushed the sign truck across the highway and into a private yard. Neither the sign truck nor the tanker could be driven following the crash.

Police are investigating the accident, and are making sure to examine Barr’s logbook. Officials have said it’s possible he’ll be cited for the accident.

Barr’s tanker truck is owned by Watkins Oil Co. of Hillsdale, Michigan.

Scene of the Accident

Commentary

People in these sorts of accidents are probably thinking of one or two things: Will I be able to collect workers’ comp benefits from this, and will I be able to find any sort of redress from the trucking company? Let’s look at bot of those things. First, yes, anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances will be able to collect workers’ comp benefits. This accident happened within the course and scope of the workers’ employment, so that’s taken care of. However, just because their injuries are covered doesn’t mean this is a good deal for the workers. One of our biggest complaints against workers’ comp is that it’s typically a bare bones course of action. It doesn’t cover everything. But that brings us to our second question. This accident involved a third party. It’ll basically be open season on the tanker truck, who, if news reports are accurate, caused the accident.

So, as a recap, the employer’s liability is going to be covered (by workers’ comp), but the truck driver needs to be held accountable for his actions as well — that’s a different story altogether. It’s not like a trucking company to back away from a fight. So if the workers end up filing a claim against them, they can expect it to be challenged.

— Grossman Law Offices

Recent Comments to the Blog

Jason is back to work and is now playing Sled Hockey and wheelchair rugby!! Jason is the strongest and most amazing man! He may nly have 1/2 a leg, but that is ALL he is lacking!! Thanks to prayer and GOD and awsome first responders and Baylor doctors. Jason's wife, Sheila
— Sheila
I'm a former employee. I had brought up this exact scenario and suggested a maintenance procedure that would eliminate the possibility of this type injury. Obviously my warning went unheeded.
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I was actually a couple cars back from this wreck, one of the first on the scene, and helped administer CPR on the victims. The truck driver was going way too fast, but it was actually his trailer that swung around and hit the suv, the semi-truck ended in the median.
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I am Anthony Siffords daughter. im 13 and i miss my dad i just wanted everyone to know that he is in a better place now and i would to thank everyone for the support. i miss my dad but it was amazing to see how many people had been toughed by my dad god bless thanks for everything...
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Thank you for posting these accident articles on your site. At the company that I work for, e deal with monitoring construction activity and work around trenches and all sorts of construction equipment/vehicles. I sometimes wonder if construction companies have enough safety training to inform employees of how to protect themselves while on the job.
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