Fiery 18-Wheeler Crash Latest Casualty of I-80 Construction
An early morning crash in late September happened when the driver of a tractor-trailer drove off the road and was unable to regain the pavement from the soft shoulder. Randy Walters was on his way to work when he saw the big rig leave the road, roll over and catch fire. He stopped and helped the driver, Mark Cosgrove, out of the cab. Cosgrove told Walters he was hauling over 8,000 gallons of gasoline; both men ran as far as possible.
Hazardous cargo creates hazardous conditions
The overturned tractor-trailer was leaking liquid gasoline, and the fire had just begun as the men got away unscathed. While no one was injured, first responders had a significant problem on their hands; namely, a small fire that was about to become a big one. Fire crews were several miles west of the crash, and could not get through the combined traffic created by the accident and ongoing road construction. The fire was in a bad place.
WKBN 27 reported:
“Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, local police and the Ohio Department of Transportation quickly shut down the interstate as well as highways leading into the area, allowing firefighters from nearly a dozen departments to get to the scene, carrying water and chemical foam to dowse the flames. But just when crews thought they had things under control, the fire re-started. ’When the guys were spraying down the frame of the truck, it made the foam go away and exposed it again and reignited,’ said Chief Birch. By 10:30 a.m., the fire was finally out, but it burned two trucks and a car left behind.”
The accident happened around 6 a.m.; it took nearly four and a half hours for the fire to burn off nearly all of the gasoline the truck had been carrying. Hazmat crews were called to erect dams to prevent the dangerous chemical foam from running off into storm drains and ditches. The fire burned so long and hotly that the asphalt will have to be removed and replaced before the road is safe to use again.
I-80 construction and big rigs are a recipe for disaster
Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Brian Holt said that construction in the area increased the number of crashes the department has seen; a second tractor-trailer rolled off the highway that same day, less than ten miles away. Construction zones are creating dangerous conditions for drivers that are rife with distractions. Throw in big rigs carrying hazardous cargo, and taking a ride on I-80 can mean taking your life in your hands.
Big trucks cause big accidents, and big accidents cause serious injuries. If you or your loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and lost wages. The experienced Ohio commercial truck accident attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. Call 844-279-2889 or contact us today for a free consultation.