Former UPS Trucker Charged in Deadly Delivery Truck Crash
A little over two months after a deadly UPS truck crash claimed the life of newspaper editor Tim Wheatley and left his young daughter with extensive injuries. Kevin P. Callahan, the trucker that was operating the delivery truck, has been charged with failure to obey a traffic device, failing to stop at a red light, and negligent driving.
Wheatley, a 48-year-old business editor for the Baltimore Sun, died instantly when the delivery truck hit his auto. His 9-year-old daughter Sarah sustained serious head injuries.
Following the tragic delivery truck accident, UPS placed Callahan on suspension. He was fired last month following a company probe that found him at fault for causing what the company is calling an “avoidable” traffic crash.
Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery trucks are often large-sized, heavy vehicles that can cause serious injury or death in the event of a truck collision. These trucks usually run on tight schedules that the truckers are required to meet. Many delivery truck drivers, especially those that work for next day delivery services such as Federal Express, UPS, and DHL, cannot afford to miss their delivery deadlines.
Common causes of delivery truck crashes involving negligent truck drivers:
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Careless driving
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Neglecting to activate the truck’s parking brake before getting out of the truck
• Backing up the truck to stop in front of a specific address while failing to make sure there are no pedestrians, bicyclists, or other motor vehicles behind the delivery truck
Ex-UPS driver charged in crash that killed Sun editor, Washington Post, December 22, 2009
Tim Wheatley, Baltimore Sun Business Editor, Killed In Crash, Huffington Post, October 5, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Large trucks, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Truck Accidents Overview, Justia
In Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, and Lake County, contact our Chicago, Illinois delivery truck accident law firm and ask for your free case evaluation.
