Zachary B. Seibert Killed in 18-wheeler Accident in Beaver Township, PA
Beaver Township, PA -- June 19, 2022, Zachary Seibert was killed after an accident where his vehicle crashed with an 18-wheeler.
From initial reports, the crash took place at around 6:00 a.m. along I-80 at the weigh station near mile marker 56.2.
Clarion County officials said that 18-year-old Zachary Seibert was in a Toyota Rav4 traveling eastbound along the interstate. After exiting toward the weight station, reports say Seibert "failed to see" an 18-wheeler that was merging back onto the interstate. As a result, Seibert's vehicle hit the back of the trailer.
Seibert sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Right now, additional details about the crash are unavailable.
Commentary on Zachary Seibert 18-wheeler Accident in Beaver Township
Something that needs to be cleared up after crashes like this is the timing and visibility surrounding the events. These reports say that the victim "failed to see" the tractor-trailer merging onto the road. But why is that?
It could be as simple as a teen driver on their phone or going too fast. However, merging vehicles have a responsibility to yield to approaching traffic and to get up to appropriate speeds before blocking traffic lanes. Could it be that the tractor-trailer involved cut off the victim? Were they going dangerously slow? Could this be like a crash I looked into not long ago where a tractor-trailer merged into someone's path before they turned their trailer lights on?
Put simply, these reports likely aren't telling the whole story. Making sure the victim's loved ones get that full story could show there were more serious mistakes that led to a young man losing his life. Getting those answers should make it worth taking every possible step to ensure experienced investigators look into what happened here.
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