I 30 wreck outside Little Rock, AR

He blew a steer tire. That is what caused him to lose control.

http://www.bentoncourier.com/content/view/226085/1/

 

Steer tire blowout, one of a driver's worst nightmares.

 

I've had it happen! A few years ago... Passing another big truck on US-29 in Virginia.... It was around 2 am & we both were moving around 70 mph... Then BOOM! Driver's steer disinergrated. Ripped my hood all to hell & bent my bumper!

Fortunatly I kept control. Anyone who hase driven that road will vouch for me when I say that they do not have shoulder's.... I limped that truck 5 miles until I found a driveway wide enough to get into.


Still today I'm finding fragments of underwear coming out my hindend!

 

Dang, sounds like one of the worst kind of places for it to happen. Good you didn't lose control.

 

Yes very tragic news to anyone, be it a truck driver or a tow truck to have a blow out and lose control like that.

The end result is not what we want to have happen.
And I have to say that the towing industry is very tight knit and it shook us up a lot.

 

..(.not related to this subject)...but this is very sad indeed sorry for loss of life. very sad indeed.......ibflat...u wrote me a few weeks ago and i tried writing back...it wouldnt let me....wasnt being rude....

 

Sorry to hear one lost his life. Every truck accident is tragic. A steer tire blowout can catch you off guard quick. I had the right side blow years ago. Since then I'm real picky on the steer tires and front suspensions condition. But you never know with todays roads.

Best thing is not to panic and hold the truck straight until you regain control. Hopefully you weren't caught off guard and let the steering wheel get away from you. This is where two hands on the wheel pays off. Don't panic brake as alot want to do. That will throw your truck off track. That and losing control of the steering wheel. Slow down by coasting and counter steering to keep the truck straight. Once under control, then work your way to the shoulder and lightly brake until stopped.

Those that use spinners can be knuckle busters with a steer tire blow out. Leave them for the forklifts.

 

Great advice CondoCruiser!! Having experienced a steer tire blowout early in my career, I can tell you it is one of the most terrifying experiences I've had behind the wheel. Every single thing said in the previous post should be followed to the letter. I'll tell you though I remember my first instinct being to stomp on the brake when it happened, I fought that urge and was able to wrestle it over to the shoulder without any further problem. Took awhile to collect myself afterward though.