Two Injured in Semi-Truck Accident on I-81 near Frackville, PA
West Mahanoy Township, PA -- February 12, 2023, two people were injured outside of Frackville after an accident where a semi-truck crashed off I-81.
Officials said that the incident happened at around 2:20 p.m. along southbound lanes of I-81. Somehow, a tractor-trailer going along the interstate ran off-road onto the median. It then crashed down an embankment onto Altamont Boulevard below.
The two occupants in the truck were taken from the scene with unspecified injuries. No one else appeared to be hurt. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Something I talk about a lot on this blog is just how challenging it is being a professional truck driver. Folks don't always appreciate the hurdles these drivers have to overcome on a daily basis making sure the products we use and buy are moving and on time. That's probably why people are often quick to blame the drivers in situations like this. Could it be that's what happened here?
A proper investigation certainly wouldn't rule out things like speeding or distracted driving, but they would also know all of the other possibilities truck drivers don't really have control over. Was there a mechanical issue? A tire blowout? Road hazards? A sudden cargo shift? A medical emergency? Does their employer over-work them or fail to maintain their vehicles? Was there some other reckless driver involved that left the scene? Likely or not, if investigators aren't asking these important questions, they're likely going to miss something important.
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