Congested traffic can be inconvenient, but it is often inevitable on expressways in Illinois. Drivers must exercise due care in such situations. The failure to do so could lead to catastrophe.
The U.S. National Traffic Safety Board is investigating a fatal accident that occurred in Illinois in the beginning of March. Three people suffered injuries in the fiery crash, and one person lost his life. The crash involved three semi-trucks and four standard motor vehicles.
According to Illinois State Police, an automobile being driven by a 37-year-old man and two semi-trucks were stopped in the right lane of the Eisenhower Expressway because of a slow-down in traffic. At this point, a third semi-truck struck the back of the automobile. The force of the collision sent the automobile crashing into the rear end of one semi-truck, which in turn was forced into the rear end of the other semi-truck.
The trailer of one semi-truck was pushed into the middle lane of the expressway where it led a SUV to strike a second SUV. The second SUV collided with a concrete divider. Following that a minivan struck the first SUV from behind. The cab of one of the semi-trucks caught fire, which then caused two of the automobiles and one of the other semi-trucks to also catch fire.
The 37-year-old man lost his life in the collision. Three other individuals involved in the collision were hospitalized, but they are expected to survive. The operator of the semi-truck that struck the deceased’s vehicle from behind and the operator of the minivan were cited for failing to slow down.
The NTSB is investigating what caused the collision and what other factors may have played a role in it, such as whether the fuel tanks were faulty. The NTSB will also examine the semi-trucks’ electronic logging systems. It is unusual for the NTSB to investigate a crash, but it said that it was doing so in this case because the crash involved three semi-trucks, one person was killed and the crash caused a fire.
This devastating accident serves as a sober reminder of just how careful motorists need to be in congested traffic. When a person is killed in a car accident, their survivors may want to determine whether they can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible for the crash.
Source: CBS Chicago, “NTSB Investigating Fiery Eisenhower Crash That Killed 1, Injured 3,” March 2, 2018