Tractor-trailer Jackknifes into Van Filled with Disabled Passengers Killing Four
by Jim Lewis
Although the roads and highways along Virginia’s I-81, I-64 or I-66 have not reported any recent bad tractor trailer accidents, there was one in Springfield, Ohio today. A tractor-trailer jackknifed on icy road conditions and slammed into a van filled with disabled passengers that were being transported. The big rig swerved into oncoming traffic colliding with the van killing four of its occupants and injuring 7 others that were inside as well.
According to Ohio Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer accident occurred near Springfield in southwest Ohio. Road conditions had become treacherous as it had been snowing most of the day in the area. However, it still is not clear what role the weather played in the crash. An official reported that the semi was heading westbound on Interstate 70 when it crossed the median and struck the 15-passenger van as well as another vehicle heading the opposite way. Sgt Durant with the Ohio State Patrol stated that all four deaths were occupants in the van, which included the driver. There were seven others injured that were also van passengers. The truck driver was reported as being unharmed.
As per Wikipedia the definition of the term jackknife is as follows:
“Jackknifing mean s the accidental folding of an articulated vehicle (such as one towing a trailer) such that it resembles the acute angle of a folding pocket knife. If a vehicle towing a trailer skids, the trailer can push it from behind until it spins round and faces backwards. This may be caused by equipment failure, improper braking, or adverse road conditions such as an icy road surface.”
A new device called the “Atlas AJSS” has recently been invented that automatically engages at a speed of 45miles per hour (72km/h) and stays engaged unless manually released. It is actuated electronically and operated pneumatically from the truck’s accumulator air supply. The device prevents the trailer and the truck from becoming over 15 out of alignment with each other. Under normal operating (highway) speeds, this 15 swing does not interfere with driving even on the most winding roads; of course, the system disengages under 45mph to allow for the hair-pin curves of winding mountain roads which are traversed at speeds under 45mph.
Although there have been many attempts to minimize this type of potentially deadly tractor trailer accident over the years with various types of equipment and safety protocols, most have been only moderately effective at preventing serious injury or death to the unlucky person, or persons that are involved in such a wreck, especially if you are in a much smaller and lighter passenger vehicle.
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January 8, 2010
Tags: big rig, dead, fatality, I-70, I-81, injured, injury, jackknife, killed, lawyer, Lewis, Ohio, tractor trailer, van, Virginia Posted in: National Trucking Accident/Injury Topics
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