Overlength Flatbedder Makes U-Turn and Gets Hit By Car

Can over-length (over-hang) loads run after dark in Indiana? Wonder was it strictly an over-hang load on a 48', or a stretched trailer? Regardless, sad situation where some driver is going to have to live with their decision-making process.

 

The semi had an oversized load of steel I-beams that extended past the rear of the trailer, according to Floyd County Police. A maroon Dodge Nitro, driven by Sean Ford, of Greenville, Ind., was traveling on the inside westbound lane on US 150. The semi made a left turn and the I-beam extended into the inside westbound lane that the Dodge was traveling in, police said. The Dodge collided into the rear of the I-beam causing fatal injuries to Ford, police said. The front seat passenger, who was the 15-year-old daughter of Ford, suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital.
Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/tr...g-serious-accident-near-floyd-knobs/70358450/

 

One dead father that would be alive today if the driver had simply looked in his mirror and waited till it was clear to make the swing.

 

That's one way to look at it. Another possibility is that had
the father been paying more attention he may have been
able to avoid the collision that killed him.

 

Both are accurate. Another point, one is supposedly a professional and the other is not. We all want to call ourselves professional drivers, yet we seem to excuse less than professional ability, judgement, skills, and even dress.

 

Point well taken.

Although it may be legal for a Big truck to make a U-turn,
it may not be the best choice. If making a U-turn is the
only option, a call to the local police or Highway Patrol
requesting assistance would be a smart decision.

 

Ask your self. Would you have done that? I think we both know the answer that you nor I would have made the time to call the HP, although maybe waited for the lights to pass because we have common sense or simply know where the back of the trailer is+ the load

 

If the situation calls for it. #### right I'm taking the time to make that phone call and wait for help to arrive. Obviously a uturn doesn't require it. That just requires patience for traffic to clear and/or driving a few more miles to find a better spot to make that uturn.

 

We also call this arm chair quarterbacking. I'm not saying the driver was in the right but I'm not willing to throw stones based on an initial report from one media source which are really known and highly regarded for their fair and honest reporting