Pennsylvania residents know that an accident with a semi truck or other large commercial vehicle can be extremely serious given the massive size and weight of these big rigs. This is one of the reasons that there are laws in place to encourage safe operation of these vehicles by truck drivers.
However, it is not only the operation of the vehicle by a trucker that may factor into a crash. There is also an obligation on the part of trucking companies and truck owners to ensure their vehicles are in good working condition before they hit the road. This sadly may not have happened in the case of one recent crash that has left numerous people dead.
As reported by CBS News, a trucker was driving eastbound along a stretch of interstate in New Mexico not far away from the border with neighboring Arizona when one of his front tires blew out. such an event in any vehicle can be a challenge but in a tractor trailer travelling at freeway speeds, the ability for a person to control a vehicle can be limited during these conditions. In this instance, the truck went into the oncoming lane of traffic and hit a commercial bus carrying 49 people.
At least eight people have died and several others were injured. It is not clear if any charges have been filed in the case but the National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the matter. No details were given as to who all of the deceased persons were.