Tractor-Trailer Accident Claims the Lives of Young Couple
Hannah Krajewski, 21, and her boyfriend, Devaughn Gresham, 23, were killed when a tractor-trailer slammed into their vehicle on I-95. The families have now initiated a lawsuit against the trucking company and their driver for wrongful death. Krajewski’s father says he hopes this sends a message to the trucking industry to slow down and respect the smaller vehicles they share the road with.
The area of the interstate where the crash occurred had been under construction for months. In this article, we’ll take a look at the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Couple Headed into Jacksonville for Date Night
The couple was headed into Jacksonville for their date night when the accident occurred. The semi-truck was attempting to round a curve at the Lem Turner exit when the driver lost control. The vehicle went over the center median and slammed into the couple’s Kia Optima. The remains of the couple’s vehicle is currently being stored in a warehouse for evidence for use at trial. It will show just how hard the semi-truck struck the couple’s vehicle. The mangled remains of the vehicle will be a powerful reminder to the jury of what kind of damage a reckless truck driver can do.
In addition to the lawsuit filed by the grieving parents, the truck driver may face criminal charges pending an investigation. A charge of vehicular homicide is not outside of the question.
Truck drivers are required by law to drive slow in inclement weather. They are also required to drive slowly through construction zones. That’s because it takes a lot longer for a truck to come to a complete stop than it does a car. Truck drivers must be able to anticipate other vehicles on the road. An accident report indicated that the truck driver was driving through the construction zone at 70 mph which is 10 mph over the legal limit for a zone without construction. The area of the highway was not believed to be under construction the night of the accident, but it’s unclear if there was a work zone in place at the time. The curve where the couple lost their lives has been a dangerous area for drivers even before the road was being maintained.
The Case Against the Trucking Company
The case against the trucking company is solid. The plaintiffs will show that the driver was speeding when the accident occurred. That will prove that the accident was the fault of the truck company’s driver. That means that the trucking company is liable for the deaths. The truck driver himself may face charges related to reckless driving and criminally negligent homicide. Such criminal prosecutions have become increasingly common as truck companies hire underqualified or poorly-trained drivers to deliver goods while interest in driving freight diminishes across the U.S.
Talk to a Truck Accident Injury Lawyer
The Coral Gables tire defect attorneys at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert litigate claims on behalf of injured drivers related to truck accidents or auto parts liability. Call today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your injury in more detail.
