Two Killed in Truck Accident on Durand Ave in Racine County, WI
Racine County, WI -- June 14, 2022, two fatalities were reported after two tractor-trailers collided on Durand Avenue in Racine County.
According to reports the incident happened around 10:30 a.m. along Durand (State Highway 11) . Preliminary investigation suggests a semi-truck with a flatbed trailer was headed west on the roadway when it crossed over the center line for unknown reasons. It then crashed head-on with another semi-truck hauling a dry bulk tanker loaded with cornstarch.
After the impact the flatbed semi caught fire and the tanker trailer overturned on its side.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Truck Accident on Durand Ave in Racine County
Reports suggest this crash was triggered by one truck driver crossing over the center line. If that's correct then obviously it's important to find out why they did so, but no matter what's found out there fault may not be as cut-and-dried as some believe.
People aren't always aware of the battles that often follow truck accidents, no matter who the truck hits. The companies behind those trucks are rarely if ever willing to simply accept responsibility for their employee's mistake, choosing instead to deny, dispute, and deflect. When two or more companies do that to one another, fault often becomes a protracted and high-stakes game of "hot potato" as each tries to blame the other.
Some may not see how there's much room for that kind of argument here since one driver reportedly crossed left of center and hit the other, but there's still room for his employer to say a truck malfunction or debris from the construction area made the big rig go off-course. Moreover, I've done this long enough to know they're not above saying the other driver could have done something to avoid the oncoming truck. It's cold-blooded, but defense attorneys aren't shy about pointing fingers to protect clients.
People may think all that talk of legal battles and fault is irrelevant since "workers' comp will handle it." That may turn out to be the main form of remedy, but it's far from perfect and the parties responsible for the damage done should make amends as a matter of principle.
Altogether this wreck like many others is more complicated than simply "who hit whom." A careful and thorough investigation must be conducted to be sure the whole truth is found. At the very least, the victims' families deserve to know every effort was made to find the whole truth.
