On Sunday, a semi-truck accident caused the deaths of three people and injury of over a dozen others after a trucker plowed into a slow traffic Interstate in Indiana. According to police officials, the truck driver had looked down to set his coffee mug when the crash occurred.

Details of the Unfortunate Indiana Truck Accident

According to FOX News, the office of the Boone County Sheriff reports that the crash occurred just after 11:00 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 in Whitestown. The officials report that the main accident involved the semi-truck and other eight vehicles.

Two young women and a child, 1, reportedly lost their lives in the tragic accident.

The driver of the semi-truck, Matthew Lewis Small, 34, was driving northbound on Interstate 65 when he approached slowing traffic. He reportedly took his eyes of the road as he set his coffee mug down when his truck slammed into the slowed traffic.

Immediately, a fire broke out, engulfing a car the truck had pinned against the guardrail. The three people in the car died. These three persons were Mariah Tomey, 21, Hadley Tomey, 1, and Kaylee Kirk 19. They were all from Lebanon, Indiana.

Another vehicle was pushed over the guardrail, landing on its side. The two people in the vehicle were successfully extricated from the overturned vehicle by responders.

Over a dozen people were transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital with various injuries; fortunately, none were considered life-threatening.

Officials report that another set of six vehicles also sustained severe damages from the crash. Investigators closed I-65 for almost four hours as a result of the investigation.

After a preliminary investigation, the distracted driver, Small, was charged with three counts of reckless homicide.

The Boone County Sheriff, Mike Nielsen, stated that distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of public roadways accidents. Nielsen reports that he believed the factor mentioned above was the root cause of this fatal crash.

Avoiding Distracted Driving Crashes

According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, culprits of crashes due to distracted driving are subject to legal repercussions. High Sheriff Nielsen recommends the following to avoid distracted driving crashes:

• Pay close attention when driving
• Permit yourself enough space for a way out (in case of an unfortunate occurrence)
• Do not press your phone while driving
• Whenever impaired or distracted, avoid driving.

Trucking Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2017:

• More than 11 million large trucks were registered in the United States
• An estimated 433,000 police-reported traffic crashes occurred involving large trucks
• 4,761 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks
• Large trucks accounted for nine percent of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents
• Of the fatalities that occurred in large truck crashes in 2017, 82 percent were occupants of other vehicles or non-occupants, such as pedestrians or bicyclists
• About one out of every four fatal crashes involving a large truck occurs on an interstate highway
• States with the most fatalities in traffic crashes involving large trucks:
  • Texas — 649
  • California — 361
  • Florida — 292
  • Georgia — 214
  • Pennsylvania — 167

Injured in a Truck Accident? Contact Thomas J. Henry

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury after being involved in an 18-wheeler accident, contact Thomas J. Henry immediately. Our experienced commercial trucking injury attorneys are available to respond to semi-truck accidents at any hour, day or night. Our lawyers understand that the immediate acquisition of evidence is paramount to understanding how the accident occurred. We will take immediate action on your case.

Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Remember, your choice does matter. Contact us today for a free legal consultation. Attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends.