Trucker in Tractor-Trailer Accident that Killed 11 People Was Talking on Cell Phone
According to state police, the 45-year-old trucker who caused the deadly semi-truck crash that killed 11 people on March 26 in Kentucky was talking on the cell phone leading up to the collision. The police report also concludes that Kenneth Laymon was driving his large truck at a speed over 70 mph when he lost control of the tractor-trailer and crossed the median to crash head-on into a van carrying Mennonites who were headed to a wedding. Toxicology findings have come up negative.
One witness says that Laymon tried braking 96 feet after going over median. Killed in the tractor-trailer collision were Laymon and van occupants John Esh, his wife Sadie, their daughter Rachel, Anna, and Rose, their son Leroy, his wife Naomi, their grandson Jalen, Rachel’s fiancé Joel, and family friend Ashlie Michelle Kramer.
The NTSB is examining whether vehicle design and operation or highway engineering played roles in causing the truck crash. Meantime, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is investigating Hester. Inc., Laymon’s employer. Last February, the FMCSA gave the company an 88.4 score on a scale of 1 to 100 (the highest number being the worst) for safety. In the 30 months prior to this crash, based on 194 driver inspections conducted by the federal agency, 21 drivers were taken out of service for log book violations and exceeding the 14-hour on duty and 11-hour driving limits.
Distracted Driving Can Cause Deadly Chicago Truck Crashes
Recent studies have shown that talking on the cell phone dramatically increases a driver’s crash risk. With their large-sized vehicles and humongous loads, cell phone using truckers in tractor-trailers can be very dangerous. Cell phone driving is negligent driving and can be grounds for an Illinois truck accident lawsuit if anyone were to get hurt.
Cell phone use cited in crash that killed 11, AP/Google, May 6, 2010
Toxicology negative in I-65 crash that kills 11, Courier-Journal, May 6, 2010
Related Web Resources:
National Transportation Safety Board
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