Fatality accident on US 231 in Shelbyville, TN

you are so wrong about this......even if it were legal, it doesn't mean you should do it.......what is allowable and what is advisable are sometimes 2 very different things. We're supposed to be pros and as such held to a higher level of accountability.
Finally, even if U turns are legal, I'll bet you everything I have that they're NOT legal from the right hand lane!!!! And according to the article, the truck had "all 4 lanes blocked". And if you'll look at the picture you'll see clearly that the driver started his turn from the right hand lane.
You are wrong. Prime driver was wrong and killed someone because of his stupidity.

 

Judging from the photo it looks like the pick up went much faster then the posted speed limit.I would suspect this was a legal uturn because I think I read prime wasn't issued any ticket. But whether right or wrong this uturn seem like it was too narrow for a semi because he had to take up all the lanes..I would have kept driving untill finding a safer area to turn around.today's drivers don't think they just do what they see fit.

 

I only posted on this thread because I drive on US 231 where this accident occurred almost every week. I know exactly where that Wal-Mart DC is located. I have been driving a truck for over 20 years. Maybe almost 3 Million miles? I have never had a serious accident. I have never killed or injured anyone. I have driven in all 48 states and Eastern Canada. I don't recommend making U Turns but sometimes they are necessary, and they are not illegal unless it is prohibited by law. I totally agree the Prime Driver caused this accident. There also where other factors that contributed to this accident. I will continue to drive exactly like I have been driving a truck since 1995. And I've had a license to drive a car since 1979. Paying attention to your surroundings and not being in a Hurry is the key to avoiding accidents. Everyone breaks traffic laws once in awhile. I have had to break laws to get into and out of locations that I had to make a.pick up or a delivery more times then I can count. Everyone have a great day and be safe!

 

High speed impact and no evidence of skid marks from the pickup in the photos. Strange.

 

the pickup likey wasnt paying attention maybe reaching for something and then by the time he seen prime If he even did it was too late to hit his brakes.he died on impact.

 

It's highly likely the pickup driver was texting or otherwise distracted, hence no evidence of emergency braking. The reflective tape strip should have been easily visible from headlights, unless the trailer just came out of a lot of snow and road grime weather, or dense fog was in play at the time.

Drivers aren't expecting vehicles to be crossways in a road where there is no cross street. Legal or not, both drivers did things they regret doing and would not do again if given the chance, but I doubt the Prime driver will be hirable again by any reputable carrier in the near future ("legal u-turn" or not). Any fatality crash is not good on any resume, no matter the circumstances and this is will certainly be "questionable" for most who hire/fire truck drivers [if they knew the details]

 

That Prime Drivers Career of being a Truck Driver is finished unless he's been a Truck Driver for a long, long time. It's doubtful he has been or he would not be driving for Prime, or pulling in front of other Vehicles making U Turns. Just because he has not been charged with anything yet doesn't mean anything. The accident is still under investigation. I'm certain he will face some kind of Charges. The authorities are very careful in a case like this. They don't want the charges dismissed or the case thrown out of Court on a Technicality. This Driver better get a good Attorney and keep his mouth shut.

 

ABS won't allow the tires to leave those nice, dark, black skid marks like cars used to leave after a panic stop. While scuffs may still be present, they are much more difficult to see and can be tough to photograph.

 

not hardly. No u turn signs would be at intersections, not posted every 50 feet along a highway.

 

Given the crushing of the cab I think we can assume little to no braking was applied prior to impact. If there was it was too little too late.