A deadly four vehicle trucking accident closed Interstate 95 south of Jacksonville, Florida near Port Orange, Florida. I-95 was closed for nearly twenty-one hours for repairs following a fiery trucking accident that unfortunately claimed the life of one of the truck drivers. Initial details of the accident suggest that a driver of a log truck lost control of the eighteen wheeler an overturned on the highway, dumping its load of logs across the roadway. This caused a chain reaction and collision with a U.S. Mail semi-truck, a passenger vehicle, and another tractor trailer that was carrying dangerous chemicals, including a flammable pesticide. The tractor trailer that was carrying the pesticide crashed into the back of the logging truck and burst into flames. The chemicals were released into the air in what some described as a toxic cloud that forced local residents to remain in their homes. The truck driver who was driving the eighteen wheeler chemical truck unfortunately lost his life in this accident. The five motorists in the automobile were taken to a local hospital and were listed in stable condition. A one hundred feet stretch of I-95 had to be repaved due to extensive burning from the pesticide released from the chemical truck. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident and charges are pending the outcome of this investigation.
From the initial reports it certainly appears that this was a very dangerous multiple vehicle trucking accident. Not only did this truck accident involve one unfortunate fatality, five other motorists had to be taken to the hospital. Moreover, due to the fire caused by the leaked chemicals, I-95 was closed for quite some time.
As this truck accident investigation is underway it is currently unknown if a mechanical defect, poor weather conditions, or driver negligence may have caused the accident. Many times a trucking accident is simply caused by unintended truck driver negligence. Other times simple driver fatigue may be the contributing factor to a truck crash. Truck drivers are limited by federal and state law as to the amount of hours they are allowed to drive within a certain time period. While it is currently unclear and speculative as to the causes of this multiple eighteen wheeler accident, hopefully the accident investigation will find the cause and serve to improve safety in the future.
If you have been injured as a result of a trucking accident contact the Law Office of Timothy Armstrong, P.A. at 904-356-8618 for a free and confidential consultation.
