NTSB report says big rig failed to slow for traffic, triggering pileup crash that killed 10

Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by truckaholic001, Aug 6, 2021.

  1. truckaholic001

    truckaholic001 Light Load Member

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    This week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released an initial report on a horrific pileup crash that left multiple children dead in Alabama in June 2021.

    The crash occurred on June 19, 2021, around 2:20 p.m. on northbound I-65 near Greenville, Alabama.

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    The crash ultimately involved 12 vehicles and left a total of 10 people dead, including 8 children traveling with the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, a group that assists needy, neglected, or abused children. A baby and a father in an SUV traveling in an SUV were also killed. Twenty-six others were injured.


    The NTSB report says that the crash began as a semi truck hauling an empty auto trailer approached the bridge over Pigeon Creek, near milepost 138, where traffic had come to a stop due to previous crashes.

    Authorities say that the semi struck an SUV, then hit a transit van with a driver and 9 passengers.

    After striking the van and other vehicles, the truck struck the left bridge rail and continued into the median beyond the north end of the bridge, coming to rest with a portion of its trailer in the roadway.

    The SUV overturned and struck several other vehicles in the traffic queue before coming to rest in the roadway.

    A second semi truck came upon the stopped vehicles, veered left, struck and mounted the left bridge rail, struck the van, and came to rest in the median.

    The van also came to rest in the median, facing south, between the two semi trucks. As a result of the multiple collisions, a fire ensued, consuming the semi trucks, the van, and three other vehicles.


    The NTSB noted that “there had been intermittent bands of rain of varying intensity throughout the day, and a light rain was falling at the time of the crash.”

    “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to collect data on the crash sequence, the postcrash fire, the weather conditions and precipitation amounts, and the operations of the motor carriers. All aspects of the crash remain under investigation as the NTSB determines the probable cause with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes,” the report concluded.

    The NTSB says that it will continue to work with law enforcement partners including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), FMCSA, and the Alabama Department of Transportation is investigating the fatal crash.
    Ref; NTSB report says big rig failed to slow for traffic, triggering pileup crash that killed 10
     
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  3. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    Feels sorry for those girls. At least they are in the hands of angels now. Away from anymore predators that were destroying their precious time as children.
     
  4. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Good God almighty that's serious. I often get nervous when there is a traffic backup. Many drivers don't look that far ahead
     
    FerrissWheel Thanks this.
  5. Western flyer

    Western flyer Road Train Member

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    I'll say it again.
    4 wheelers aren't the problem,
    It's the ram rod truckers that will kill you.
     
    fishonron Thanks this.
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    4 wheelers cause about 30,000 deaths per year. They are the problem.
     
  7. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    The 4 wheeler causes between 80% to 90% of the fatal wrecks when a truck is involved.
    Yes, we are not perfect, but the the problem isn't truck drivers (overall).

    80 percent of car-truck crashes caused by car drivers, ATA report says
    The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute — a leader in truck-related crash research, says ATA — studied 8,309 fatal car-truck crashes to determine fault. 81 percent of the time, car drivers were assigned at fault, says the study, versus 27 percent for truck drivers.

    A similar study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2003 studied 10,092 fatal accidents, deeming that cars were responsible 91 percent of the time during head-on crashes, 91 percent of the time in opposite-direction sideswipes, 71 percent of rear-end crashes and 77 percent of same-direction sideswipes.

    FMCSA’s studies looked at 6,131 fatal car-truck crashes over a three-year period in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2007 and 2008, cars were assigned fault in 85 percent of crashes. The number dropped to 81 percent in 2009.
     
    Opus, Bean Jr., tscottme and 3 others Thank this.
  8. Western flyer

    Western flyer Road Train Member

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    Just another ram rod truck driver.
    Plowing into stopped traffic at full speed,
    Killing a bunch of people.
    This is becoming a regular thing.
    Life in prison sounds good to me.

    I see these killers everyday,
    Doing 70 mph in the left lane, in a 45 mph construction zone.
    When the sign says all trucks right lane only.
    Tell those 9 kids families who got smashed to pieces
    And burned to death how safe you really are.
    I'm out here everyday, I see the treacherous
    Moves you make. And it's only getting worse.
     
    allniter Thanks this.
  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    You've never once called 911 when seeing these so-called killers. Don't you care about the children?
     
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
  10. Val_Caldera

    Val_Caldera Road Train Member

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    You know, when WE Truckers are Home (those of Y'all still Driving), WE are then ALL 4 Wheel Drivers (including those with 6 wheel Pickup Trucks becuz it's based on 4 wheels).
    2 & 3 Wheel Riders not included.
    - - - -
    Construction Zones have been a problem since 1998, when I began Truck Driving.
    Heck, it was problematic in the 80's.
    "Lane Closing in 1/2 mile" so hurry up Trucks and Cars and get to the end, then jam up into "open" lane.
    Nothing New!
    - - - -
    LOOKING FORWARD appears to have become a non interest, hence increased Accidents/Fatalities and this Report involved 2 Big Rigs, unbelievable.

    I just cannot fathom how any Truck Driver cannot:
    SEE SLOW/STOPPED TRAFFIC IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE OR OPEN ROAD IN DAYLIGHT with/without Light Rain or Snow (unless Alcohol and/or other Sense/Response depleting Drugs involved!!)
    Yes, Night Time, obvious reasons like:
    (1) TOO TIRED TO BE DRIVING.
    (2) Distractions.
    (3) Equipment Malfunctions.
    (4) Headlights not correctly adjusted/aimed including Bright Eyes.
    (5) FOG and/or SMOKE.
    (6) Other Large Cars.
    (7) ICE (when/where applicable).
    - - - -
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2021
  11. Val_Caldera

    Val_Caldera Road Train Member

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    Used to be "Look 10-15 Seconds AHEAD", when/where feasible. Hills, Mountains and Nights are "when/where feasible".
    Guess it's very difficult to see AHEAD when the seat is on the floor as well hunching down, Lowrider style.
    Could "explain" a reason for "FAILURE TO REDUCE SPEED to avoid (possibly causing) a/an Accident/Collision/Rollover/Fatality".
    Some Drivers fail to LOOK within 30 feet of Truck Nose, let alone further on.

    Not 1 road in the U.S.A. that I travelled in a 40 Ton Cruiser was clear. ALWAYS something somewhere: Animal, Vehicle, Human, Extra Terrestrial/s (in Florida on Rt. 301).
    - - - -
     
    bryan21384 Thanks this.
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