One Killed in Crash with Turning 18-Wheeler on US-90 in Gadsden County, FL
Gadsden County, FL -- April 18, 2022, a 27-year-old Tallahassee man was killed in a collision with a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 90 in Gadsden County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 12:25 p.m. on US-90 near Dover Road. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was driving a sedan east on the highway when he approached the semi-truck. Reports say he tried to pass the truck on the right as the big rig was making a right turn into the driveway of a nearby work site. The sedan's left side and the truck's right side collided in the driveway, sending the sedan onto the shoulder. It then hit two trees and overturned.
The sedan driver, allegedly not wearing a seat belt, suffered critical injuries and was taken to a Tallahassee hospital where he later died. The truck driver was unhurt.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Truck Accident on US-90 in Gadsden County
Early reports about this accident suggest the victim may have made a costly mistake here, but I've learned over the years to take preliminary reports with a grain or two of salt as investigators seek out further information.
Before anyone jumps to conclusions it's important to ensure all the facts are found through careful and thorough investigation. That means considering the totality of the crash and any other variables besides the victim's passing attempt. How fast were the vehicles going at the time? How far apart were they? Did the truck slow gradually before its turn, or did the driver brake abruptly near the driveway? Did he use his signal to let traffic behind him know about the turn? If so, how long before the turn did he activate the signal? Was there any other traffic in the area? What are road conditions like there? How was the weather? Were both drivers paying careful attention to their surroundings? If not, why not?
Those questions and the many others like them aren't asked just to overcomplicate things or to accuse anyone of wrongdoing. The point is more that these situations aren't usually as simple as they first appear. There are often hidden factors that go overlooked if police settle on a story and then wash their hands of the whole thing. Those details could make a lot of difference in how the wreck is perceived, but by the time the report is filed they've disappeared from the scene and the wrong story is released. That's unfair to the victim and their loved ones, who above all want the truth. More than that, though, they deserve to know the people responsible for their loss will be held properly accountable. The current story doesn't sound like the trucking company would be considered at fault, but further digging might show things aren't quite as they seem. Will that careful attention be paid here before all is said and done?
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