18-Wheeler Hits Disabled Car on I-12, One Killed in Covington, LA
Covington, LA — December 18, 2022, one person died in a collision with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish.
Authorities say the incident happened Sunday along I-12 near Highway 21. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was traveling east on the highway when their vehicle became disabled for unknown reasons and stopped in the left lane. Reports indicate the car's lights weren't on when an eastbound semi-truck approached from behind and rear-ended it. The impact caused the car to catch fire and become fully engulfed in flames.
The car's driver died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation continues but the truck driver is not suspected of impairment.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Covington Truck Accident on I-12
I've heard it said that a truck accident involves three investigations: One by the police, one by the trucking company, and--ideally at least--one specifically on the victim's behalf.
The police investigation, often relied on for answers by victims and their loved ones, isn't always the best way to get them. They're agents of the state, not victim advocates, and they don't necessarily prioritize finding all the subtle details that can make a huge difference for the people and families hurt by these accidents. That's not to say their work isn't important, but their eventual reports are sometimes less helpful than one might hope for. Consider for example that right now they don't know what really made the victim stop in the road, and they may not make much effort to find out.
Likewise, trucking companies and their insurers may send out their own investigators if they might be considered responsible for what happened. Their goals also don't typically align with victims' since they're mostly looking for ways to free their employee and themselves from blame. That means their investigators will search for other explanations besides driver negligence (such as being unable to see the victim's car with no lights in the dark). In some cases they're not wrong, but they're less concerned with being right than they are with simply protecting their bottom line.
That's why another investigation by independent experts is often best if anyone feels the "official" story is wrong or incomplete. Finding clear facts that prove the victim's side of the story is invaluable. Will those steps be taken to help the people affected by the crash in St. Tammany Parish?
