A truck driver died tragically this morning, after his 18-wheeler rammed into the back of another rig along the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas.
The deadly accident was reported around 5:15 this morning, closing down all but one lane of I-10 at Highway 6 near the Barker Cypress exit.
18-Wheeler Was Parked Along Shoulder When Another Rig Slammed into Trailer
According to police, one of the 18-wheelers had pulled off to the shoulder because of a mechanical issue. The driver had placed emergency equipment around the truck to indicate that he was stopped.
The second rig collided with the back of the other semi just as the driver was returning to the cab.
The violent collision forced the cab of the second 18-wheeler into the parked trailer.
18-Wheeler Driver May Have Been Asleep at the Wheel
The first driver died at the scene.
The driver of the parked 18-wheeler was taken to an area hospital with undisclosed injuries.
Their identities have not been released.
Police have indicated that the driver of the second 18-wheeler may have been asleep at the wheel, as there is no indication that he ever employed his brakes.
Trump Administration Nixes Sleep Apnea Screening Requirement for Commercial Drivers
Today’s tragic accident come just months after the Trump Administration rescinded a proposed rule that would have required the drivers of 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles to undergo sleep apnea screening.
Proponents of the regulation believe it would have prevented deadly accidents related to driver fatigue, such as the crash between a tour bus and semitrailer near Palm Springs, California that killed 13 people in October 2016.
The bus driver, who died in the accident, may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The investigation into the crash also found that both drivers may have suffered from undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Truck Drivers Now Required to Electronically Log Hours of Service
Investigators also allege that the truck driver involved in the Palm Beach crash falsified his log book to make it appear that he had more sleep in the days leading up to the accident than he actually had.
The federal hours of service rule limits truckers to driving for 11 hours per day within a 14-hour period, followed by 10 hours of rest. Until recently, hours were tracked via paper log books.
New rules that went into effect on December 18, 2017 now require truckers to use electronic logging devices, or ELDs, to track hours of service.
Before the rule took effect, a coalition of truck owner-operators and drivers were pushing the Trump Administration to delay the new ELD rules. Now the same interests are engaged in an intense lobbying effort aimed at having the rules rescinded.
Our Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Have Won Record-Setting Recoveries in Cases Involving Driver Fatigue
Our Houston-based Truck Accident Lawyers have won record-setting verdicts and settlements in cases involving undiagnosed sleep disorders and driver fatigue.
Recently, for example, our Undefeated Bus Accident Lawyers negotiated a $6 million settlement on behalf of several passengers who were injured after a Greyhound bus driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Greyhound agreed to settle the case after our attorneys obtained the first-ever court-ordered sleep study of a commercial driver in Texas, proving that the bus driver suffered from moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.
The record-breaking recovery represents the largest settlement involving driver fatigue in Greyhound’s corporate history.
CLICK HERE to watch a CBS This Morning report about the case.
Contact Our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Legal Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Using the Form on the Right or by Clicking Here
Our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers are investigating the tragic 18-wheeler collision on the Katy Freeway in Houston and will post an update should more information become available.
With more than $1 billion recovered on behalf of our clients — including hundreds of people who were seriously injured or tragically killed in collisions involving 18-wheelers and other large, commercial vehicles — our attorneys have the resources, skills and expertise needed to ensure that our clients receive the maximum compensation possible for all of their injuries and losses.
If you or someone you love was injured in an 18-wheeler-accident, call 1-888-603-3636 or by using the form on the right or by clicking here to send us a confidential email..
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