Man, Infant Killed in Alabama Trucking Accident
A 55-year-old man and a 16-month-old baby were killed in a chain-reaction accident involving a tractor-trailer.
About the Montgomery Trucking Accident
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, the crash occurred Friday when a 2001 Toyota Sienna was struck by a 2011 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The impact from the initial collision then sent the Toyota into a 2014 Ford Focus.
Authorities were called to the site of the crash on Interstate 85 about 2 miles north of Shorter around 6:30 pm. Roberto Linares, 55, and the 16-month-old were pronounced dead at the scene. Both were occupants of the Toyota Sienna.
Three other passengers in the Toyota were transported to the hospital with various injuries.
Investigations into the accident are ongoing, but DPS did confirm that the child was restrained in a car seat. Linares, however, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Truckling Accident Statistics
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 438,000 trucking accidents occurred in 2014, resulting in 3,903 deaths and 111,000 injuries.
- Of those killed:
- 17 percent were occupants of large trucks
- 73 percent were occupants of other vehicles
- 10 percent were nonoccupants, including pedestrians and bicyclists
- Texas led the nation in fatal trucking accidents with 553 deaths recorded. California followed Texas with 300 trucking fatalities reported.
