Linda Hemenway Killed, Edwin Hemenway Injured in Tractor-Trailer Accident in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO -- January 25, 2022, Linda Hemenway was killed and Edwin Hemenway was injured in an accident where their vehicle crashed with a semi-trailer.
Authorities reported that the crash took place at around 7:45 p.m. along Interstate 255 in the area of Telegraph Road.
Investigators said that 62-year-old Linda Hemenway and 72-year-old Edwin Hemenway were in a vehicle traveling eastbound along the interstate. For reasons unclear, authorities said that their Jeep Wrangler began "backing up across the interstate" from right to left toward the shoulder. While doing so, a tractor-trailer hit the Jeep.
As a result of the collision, Linda Hemenway sustained fatal injuries. Edwin Hemenway sustained reportedly moderate injuries. At this time, additional details are unavailable.
Commentary on Linda Hemenway, Edwin Hemenway Tractor-Trailer Accident in St. Louis
These are very unusual details, as stopping or really doing anything against the flow of normal traffic on an interstate is incredibly strange behavior. I certainly can't say if these reports are accurate or why someone may have done that. But it's important to consider that these details are still just a part of the whole story.
It's as important to look into why the driver did this as it is to find out how avoidable their vehicle was. It's understandable that a reasonably prudent professional truck driver wouldn't be able to avoid a vehicle making such an odd maneuver into their path. Perhaps evidence will show this trucker was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It's also possible, however, that the victims' vehicle was clearly visible and reasonably avoidable. In our legal system, if a truck driver fails to avoid an accident that is reasonably avoidable, even if they have the right-of-way, that's a serious sign they were doing something wrong. As likely or unlikely as that may be, it's one of the reasons that independent investigations are so crucial in these situations.
Authorities may not be able to give a complex crash like this the attention it deserves. Having dedicated accident reconstructionists sort out the details can be crucial for at least ensuring the victims and families involved get the full story. Whether that shows someone needs to be held accountable or that this was all just an unfortunate, unavoidable accident, simply getting the truth needs to be a priority.
[jump]
