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Wendall Barnes Injured in Tractor-Trailer Accident on Highway 259 in Big Cedar, OK


Big Cedar, OK — The driver of a tractor-trailer was injured in an accident that took place in Big Cedar, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. The accident happened on Highway 259, around 10:15 in the morning.

According to local reports, Wendall Barnes was driving a 1999 Freightliner north on 259 when he realized that his brakes had cut out. Up ahead on the highway was a construction worker and in an effort to avoid hitting the man, Barnes drove his truck off the side of the road.

The truck rolled on its side, crashing into a tree. Barnes had to be extricated from the vehicle before being taken to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa. He suffered serious injuries.

The accident is currently being investigated. At this time, what caused Barnes to lose his brakes is unknown.

Scene of the Accident

View from the Road

Commentary

The brakes going out on a tractor-trailer is a pretty big deal, and if it weren’t for the driver’s quick thinking, this accident could have been much worse than it was. Typically, something like this is going to be handled through an employer’s workers’ comp policy. That’s half the reason workers’ comp exists. It pays benefits to those injured in on-the-job accidents. The other half of the reason workers’ comp exists is to protect employers from having claims brought against them from injured employees. That’s the side of the system we don’t like, but I digress…

Workers’ comp may cover employers, but it not cover third parties. If the brakes on this truck were somehow defective, and it was that that caused the accident, then the injured driver would have a claim against the manufacturer. However, this could also be the fault of someone who had performed maintenance on the vehicle. Obviously, further investigation is needed.

— 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.
— Tophat
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.
— Leif Burton
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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Tony was the step Grant father and it's been hard for the whole family but we know he is in a better place now. It's nice to know that people are rasing awareness with my grandfathers story. Thanks, family and friends of Tony Wray.
— Mercedes Stanley
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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Responses (1)

  1. The man in this accident is my younger brother Wendall.
    We have set up a a gofundme fundraiser for him because he has 0 income now and will not be able to work for a pretty long time. His pelvis and hip were shattered and repaired, he has broken ribs, other injuries and he had internal bleeding for which he also had to receive treatment. He has hemophilia.
    Is there any way that anybody can help us share his link? Please? It would be so appreciated.
    Signed,
    Stella Wicker
    http://www.gofundme.com/WendallB-Recovery

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