James Anthony Vitale Killed in Tioga, PA, Truck Accident
Tioga, PA -- July 17, 2017, James Anthony Vitale was killed after an accident where his vehicle collided with a flatbed trailer on the highway.
The Pennsylvania State Police responded to the accident scene at around 1:45 p.m. near the PA Welcome Center.
Preliminary accident reports indicate that 65-year-old Vitale was in a Chevy Aveo that was traveling along US Highway 15. For reasons which are not entirely clear, his vehicle reportedly went onto the shoulder of the highway and crashed into the back of a flatbed tractor-trailer.
The collision was severe enough that Vitale died from his injuries at the scene of the crash. The truck driver was not injured.
State Police officials have not released any further information at this time. The cause of the accident is unclear.
Map of the Area
Commentary
The news reports are saying the truck was pulled off onto the shoulder, but I can't help but wonder if maybe there are some details missing from the preliminary investigations. I don't want to imply that I know anything particular about this accident--I only know what has been made available to the public. However, I've litigated hundreds of truck accidents over the years, and I know from experience that news reports and even police investigations can leave some very crucial questions unanswered.
Was the trailer fully off the road, or was it protruding into traffic? Was it properly marked with reflective cones and flares? What exactly caused the Chevy to drift off the road? Was it something Mr. Vitale did or didn't do, or was it a factor beyond his control like a mechanical issue? Police investigators, as competent as many of them are, tend to miss these kinds of details, and frankly that shouldn't be accepted.
When someone is hurt or killed in a truck accident, it's important that the scene and the vehicles are examined by a professional, private investigator. It can't be enough to report a basic fact pattern or only consider common factors; any and all potential causes for an accident have to be thoroughly considered before the full story can be told. Until that is done, those affected by this accident won't be getting the answers they deserve.
--Grossman Law Offices
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