I-65 northwest Indiana semi rear end another semi

Oops I was thinking of the 5th wheel... sorry.... although that kingpin has gotta be a tough mother for all the beatings it goes through...

 

The trailer is pushed into the cab, so something gave way somewheres

 

10-4... But the fifth-wheel don't give... at-least not that I've seen... have you ever seen the king pin on a trailer actually give or snap in half so to speak?

 

Yup, plenty of times. Actually even saw it once on a 30 day old trailer that jacknifed.

They don't actually snap, what I have seen the welds break.

 

I've seen the jaws on a fifth wheel shatter into pieces at which time the king pin may or may not jump out of the king pin slot on the fifth wheel. Same end result. Trailer hits tractor.

 

If you witness an accident such as this please stop and render aid. Come on man, it's common decency. What if he cut a fuel line, and was so dazed he couldn't get out of the truck? If it was me I would have stopped behind the accident, blocking traffic, dialed 911, accessed the drivers condition while on the phone with 911. Then rendered any aid I could, if drivers OK, then I would have clean debris from berm, moved my truck and let traffic flow. Then wait for LEO to take statement/info and release me.

 

It's easy to criticize from where we are, but I can understand to a point. You've got the stupid guy on the CB telling the Schneider guy to go on.... Often it's best at that point TO go on, since you never know what chain reaction may occur, so close to the time of the accident. You stop and get out and then someone rear ends the car behind you, and now you got mayhem. Perhaps the Schneider guy could have pulled in front of the container hauler, leaving the shoulder open, then going back to help. Or, you could just turn your CB off, and let that guy who was telling you to go around, sit and wait.... I'm not sure what I would have done in a moments notice.....probably told the guy to kiss my #####, and got out to help.... Looks like the Kohler guy came up over that little rise, and voila`, there was the stopped container truck.....that's a tough one. I'm thinking your video would be very helpful to the Police. Perhaps you should make a call and at least direct them to this link...., I'm guessing if you want to you could remain anonymous.

 

Hammer, I very rarely criticise someone based on video, even if he would have pulled around in front. But you should protect the accident seen, that means block with your vehicle and not worry about points on your license. Many times people in accidents get out of their vehicle dazzed and confused stager around, and could get hit by someone driving passed. Man up! Block traffic, assess the people involved and call 911.

 

OP didn't even sound that excited on the CB telling NB to slow down. I seen several crashes and I always start of screaming HOLY $#|+! BACK'ER DOWN. Then I jump out and do what I can after safely parking my vehicle and blocking traffic if need be to protect the scene.

I would have stayed stopped right there to block the shoulder and went to see if the driver wanted me to do anything. The last thing you need is traffic running past on the shoulder.

At least the Kohler truck hit square with the other one so it took a good even hit and probably saved the driver's legs or life. If the hit is inevitable, line it up square.

So put me down in the 'you-shudda-stopped' camp. You were the first one there. No merit on this one, driver.

 

I would of stopped and seen what I could do.. called 911 to make sure it had been reported and have been on tne CB to warn other drivers who would be coming up the accident... I would do that, because I would appreciated a driver doing that if I were one of the drivers in those trucks..

I know it isnt as common as it once was.. for drivers to help each other... when a driver is on the side of the road with flashers on, triangles out and the hood open.. drivers must roll on pass and maybe move over a lane while passing, but I see many that dont even do that...

I am a newbie, so chances are I dont know how to help the driver.. but, I do get on my CB and check on the driver and see if I can do anything... again, because I would like to believe another driver would do the same for me...

Yes, I have qualcomm and a cell phone and my company will send road side.. but it is a reassuring feeling to hear that driver ask you on the CB if you okay...

There are drivers out there who check on, help and assist other drivers out there and I appreciate them and so I do what I can also... I dont know a lot about fixing things, but I always have food, coffee, water and other stuff and maybe they dont and will be on the side of road for awhile...

Ias newbies it is hard to know what to do.. we dont know how to fix things and stuff so we figure why stop we will just be a rookie in the way... However, by stopping we can also learn...