On June 13, 2022, a semi truck driver failed to stop and plowed into three cars on I-25. The semi truck crash killed five family members traveling in an SUV, including an infant girl. Colorado State Patrol recently confirmed that the truck driver was driving without a valid commercial driver’s license, and that braking issues and distracted driving may have been contributing factors.
Semi Truck Crash Details
On that unfortunate June day, an engaged couple, their infant daughter, and one set of grandparents were returning to Wyoming after celebrating a birthday in Denver. They were traveling on I-25 North in their Ford Edge, following the speed limit. Traffic slowed, as is often the case when driving on the heavily traveled northeast corridor, and the Ford Edge decreased speed in stop-and-go traffic. The family of five was traveling just 5 mph when the 18-wheeler barrelled into traffic at 75 mph. The Ford Edge was crushed on impact; all five family members tragically died, while the truck careened off and hit other vehicles. The driver of a second struck vehicle suffered minor injuries. The Denver-based 26-year-old truck driver was not injured in the crash.
Photo: KMGH (as reported in the Denver News Channel, June 14, 2022.)
A new crash report states the commercial truck driver was likely “distracted”, calling his actions “careless.”
According to 9News, the truck belonged to a trucking carrier, Caminantes Trucking. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Caminantes Trucking is an interstate carrier with 22 power units. A total of 53 out of 218 vehicles (24.3%) have been out of service in US inspection results for 24 months prior to August 10, 2022. The FMCSA further reports that the company reported three injury-causing crashes in addition to this fatal incident. The trucking company carries the minimum amount of insurance required by law: $750,000.
Three major violations by the truck carrier came into play in this tragedy
- Unlicensed driver. The trucking carrier allowed its driver to get behind the wheel of a company vehicle without a valid commercial drivers license (CDL). This is in clear violation of FMCSA regulations that require all truck drivers to have their CDLs. This shows a flagrant disregard for the bare minimum standards of road safety and driver training.
- Braking issues. The Colorado State Patrol report notes that the truck’s brakes could have been out of adjustment or defective at the time of impact. In the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (2007), the FMCSA found that nearly 30% of all large truck collisions involved some sort of brake-related issue. The Code of Federal Regulations sets forth the standard here: all truck braking systems are to be fully operational during use.
- Distracted driving: Because there was no sign of braking or swerving, crash reconstruction experts suspect that distracted driving may have played a role in this accident. While distracted driving is easily preventable, such instances are shockingly common. According to one study, distracted truck drivers are over 70% more likely to be involved in a “near collision” than other drivers. Trucking companies have a responsibility to educate and monitor their drivers to make sure distracted drivers are not among their fleet.
At the Law Offices of Peter M. Anderson, our dedicated truck accident attorneys share a commitment to making Colorado roadways safer for everyone. If you have been injured in a truck crash and would like to learn more about how we can help, call our office for a free consultation.