Darin Olson Injured in Truck Accident near Clearwater, MN
Clearwater, MN -- January 10, 2023, Darin Olson was injured after an accident where two semi-trucks collided.
Preliminary investigations said that the incident happened along I-94 in the area of Highway 24 at around 11:00 a.m.
It appears that 53-year-old Darin Olson was in a semi-truck traveling eastbound. From westbound lanes, details suggest another semi-truck somehow lost control, went through the median barrier, and crashed into Olson's truck.
Olson sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening. No other injuries were reported. Authorities have yet to determine a cause for the crash.
Even with chaotic facts like these, it's important to keep in mind all the different reasons a truck driver may lose control of their truck. I've helped many truckers over the years injured by their fellow professionals. They more than anyone can appreciate that there are unique challenges they have to face that we the average motorists couldn't possibly handle. Were there mechanical issues? A cargo shift? Issues with their employer, such as being forced to work long hours? Some other reckless driver forcing the truck off-road? Likely or not, it's important investigators have the prudence to consider these possibilities.
With all of that said, truckers can also recognize there are some drivers that give their profession a bad rap. Inexperienced drivers, drivers traveling while fatigued, not maintaining their tires, driving too fast for road conditions—the slightest error can quickly prove deadly. So what was it here? Was this two truckers caught in circumstances beyond their control, or was there one whose mistakes almost got a fellow driver killed?
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