A semitruck full of potatoes struck a transit bus late last month injuring five people. According to first responders, the semitruck driver went through a red light on State Route 395 at approximately 3 p.m., on a recent Tuesday, then crashed into a transit bus in Kennewick.
The 25-year-old bus driver and four bus passengers — a 54-year-old and three 15-year-olds — were among the injured in the crash. The semitruck driver survived the collision unharmed.
It appears that the semitruck’s brakes may have malfunctioned, which resulted in the truck going through the intersection without stopping. According to the driver of the truck, he attempted to apply the brakes but the vehicle refused to stop. After investigators looked into the accident and the truck, they discovered that brakes on three of the truck’s axles were not working.
The collision resulted in the closure of State Route 395 for several hours while authorities tended to the accident site. It appears that the accident was likely caused by the semitruck’s brake failure, but as of last reports, investigators were still trying to pinpoint the exact cause of the accident with certainty.
When a semitruck accident happens, it’s important to review all possible causes of the crash. In big rig collisions, mechanical failure is often one of the culprits. When the driver of a semitruck is employed by a transportation company, the transportation company may also be liable to pay for damages in semitruck collisions caused by the driver. The transportation company may also be liable when its failure to maintain the upkeep of its vehicle results in a serious accident.
Source: keprtv.com, “Five injured after semi hauling potatoes smashes Ben Franklin Transit bus,” Sep. 20, 2017
