Duane Travis, Philip Hughes Injured in Truck Accident on I-90 near Hayward, MN
Hayward, MN — November 29, 2022, truck drivers Duane Travis and Philip Hughes were injured in a crash on Interstate 90 east of Hayward.
Authorities say the incident happened around 11:35 a.m. on I-90 near mile marker 164, during a snowstorm. Preliminary investigation suggests Travis was driving an International semi-truck east on the highway when he may have lost control, possibly due to icy road conditions. The big rig crossed through the median into the westbound lanes where it crashed with an oncoming Peterbilt semi driven by Hughes.
Travis, 51, and Hughes, 40, were both taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Both men were wearing seat belts when they crashed.
The investigation continues. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Duane Travis, Philip Hughes Accident near Hayward
Reading that a truck driver lost control, crossed over, and crashed into another big rig is obviously troubling, but it's also important to recognize how few useful details preliminary news reports actually offer. They mention snow and icy roads, and it's entirely possible those played parts, but there's no mention of all the other possible contributing factors: The trucks' speeds (which federal law requires them to reduce in hazardous conditions), visibility conditions, road markings and signage, whether the trucks' lights were on, if both were in good repair, if their tires had enough tread, whether both drivers were well-trained and experienced, and many other variables must be examined to ensure the whole story is learned.
Even if some of those seem unlikely compared to others, ignoring them risks letting something important--something that could help those injured men get the help they need--slip through the cracks. Maybe police hit the nail on the head immediately and another look wouldn't turn up anything unusual, but I see no reason not to ensure experienced investigators look into this so the facts can speak for themselves.
