Lancaster, PA — A local man from Lancaster was taken to a hospital on Tuesday of this week after his car was in a wreck with a large 18-wheeler truck. The accident happened on the Manheim Pike (Route 72) at about 6:15 a.m. that morning and the man who was injured was later identified as Juan O. Rivas, 24 years old.
The police said that Rivas was driving his car south along Manheim Pike that morning and was approaching the Route 30 overpass when a Coca-Cola 18-wheeler pulled into his path from a driveway.
Rivas didn’t have time to brake and skidded into the side of the trailer, wedging itself underneath it.
Rivas had to be cut out of his car by emergency workers, who then took him to a hospital. It’s not clear how badly he was hurt, but the hospital confirmed that he was not in serious or life-threatening condition.
The truck driver was identified as Christopher Rehkugler, 40 years old, and was also from Lancaster.
Map of the Accident
Commentary:
It appears like the police are taking this seriously, which is a good thing. When a trucker decides not to obey traffic laws, there are some very serious consequences. It’s a good thing more people weren’t hurt here.
I’d be curious to know more about what was going on inside the cab of that semi-truck in the moments leading up to the accident, however. The news said it was pulling out of a driveway. Maybe the driver was adjusting some papers? Moving some food or drinks around so they didn’t spill? Checking text messages? Whatever the case, I find it a little odd that the driver didn’t see an oncoming car, so the next logical thought (for me) is whether he was paying any attention to the road at all.
At the end of the day, this driver and the company he works for may have to answer for what’s happened.
— Grossman Law Offices
