One Dead, One Injured in Three-Vehicle Crash Involving 18-wheeler
According to the Daily Herald, a tractor-trailer crash left the truck driver fatally injured after it loses a tire near Libertyville, Illinois, on Friday.
Details of Fatal Trucking Wreck
A semi was traveling west on Interstate 94 near Half Day Road when the fatal crash occurred. Officials say a wheel detached from the truck, causing the truck to crash into another vehicle. After striking the vehicle, the semi collided with a concrete barrier and flipped over onto its side.
The Daily Herald reports that the truck driver was ejected after crashing into the median. He would be pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
A third vehicle was involved in the accident when a light pole fell into the eastbound lanes of Interstate 94, crashing on top of a car. The fatal accident occurred at around 5:52 a.m. local time and caused heavy traffic backups in the area.
Trucking Accident Statistics
The following information regarding large-truck crashes is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2014, 3,903 people died in crashes involving large trucks.
- 17 percent of these fatalities were occupants of large trucks.
- An estimated 111,000 people sustained injuries in crashes involving large trucks in 2014.
- In 2014, large trucks accounted for eight percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes.