Two Injured in 18-Wheeler Accident on Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in Iberville Parish, LA
Iberville Parish, LA -- January 16, 2022, two people were injured when an 18-wheeler crashed into an accident site on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in Iberville Parish.
Authorities say the incident happened Sunday on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge (Interstate 10) near Whiskey Bay. Preliminary investigation suggests multiple vehicles including Sheriff's Office patrol units, a wrecker truck, and DOTD vehicles were on-scene working on another crash in which a car hit a guardrail. As crews worked, a commercial FedEx tractor-trailer approached from the roadway and plowed into the scene. Its impact created a chain-reaction in which a DOTD truck crashed into a deputy's unit, which in turn hit the wrecker truck.
The wrecker driver was airlifted from the scene to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. A sheriff's deputy was transported to a hospital and was later released.
The 18-wheeler driver, later identified as John Guerin, faces several charges including negligent injuring, failure to obey signs, and careless operation.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on 18-Wheeler Accident on Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in Iberville Parish
News stories suggest the truck driver was largely at fault here if he plowed into a crash scene surrounded by lit-up emergency vehicles. Other details might come to light still that change that impression, but if things really happened as described then it's vital to learn exactly why that occurred.
People might think it's enough to know that a big rig crashed into an accident scene, and assume that the company behind that truck would want to make things right if their driver was responsible for the injuries that followed. However, the default position of just about any trucking company (or its insurer) is to dispute any accusation of wrongdoing in an effort to protect its assets and its reputation. What that ultimately means after crashes like the one in Louisiana is that injured victims must gather clear and indisputable evidence proving that their version of events is the true one.
I don't mean to imply that FedEx--the apparent employers of the truck driver in that crash--will try anything underhanded in an attempt to clear its name, but one thing I've found to be nearly guaranteed over the years is that corporate entities will defend themselves rigorously no matter how straightforward early reports might seem. Because of that my best advice to victims and families has always been to find as much evidence as they can to ensure that only objective facts tell the story. Police investigations don't always dig deeply enough to find those critical details, however, so in many situations extra effort from independent investigators may be necessary.
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