Fatal Crash on I-81 near Carlisle, PA
Posted on August 30, 2009
Filed Under IN THE NEWS
On Friday afternoon, August 28, 2009, one person was killed, and another injured with a tractor-trailer crossed from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes on I-81. The picture below was taken by Matt Miller of the Harrisburg Patriot-News, who also wrote the linked article.
One of the reasons I posted this is because of the 60+ comments which follow the article. There is a good discussion between a few truck drivers and some of the general motoring public. I know that stretch of I-81 and it’s awful. Two lanes each way, heavily congested. A ton of truck traffic. One of the truck drivers inimates in the comments the reason the truck crossed into oncoming traffic was because a four wheeler cut him off. Maybe. There is no other mention of this in the articles. That same truck driver continues stating that four wheel drivers are the source of all accidents, and truck drivers make no mistakes.
Well I wouldn’t go that far. Statistically, around 65-75% of fatal truck crashes are caused by four wheelers. I’m quoting that statistic from memory, from my time when I worked for the Man in Washington DC. I’m pretty sure it’s close to accurate. On the other hand, to say truck drivers never make a mistake is wrong too. Truckers are professionals, and are expected to be better drivers than car drivers, but that’s not always the case.
In this accident, this very same accident, after the Swift Transportation truck crossed the median, traffic began to slow. About 1/2 mile behind the original crash, a flatbed, operated by Travis Woods of McVeytown, PA was driving. He failed to slow his truck in time, hit two vehicles and ended up in the median. Luckily no one else was killed or seriously injured. Woods was arrested for driving under the influence. At 2:00pm in the afternoon, in an 80,000 lb. truck, no less. Anyway, when I hear truck drivers blame all car drivers for every disaster on the highway, I know they are partially right. I also know there are a good number of Travis Woods’ out there too.
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3 Responses to “Fatal Crash on I-81 near Carlisle, PA”
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The person who wrote this article is a brainless blowhard.
the swift truck did not jump the median from the south to northbound lanes, he was going north when the accident happened about 5 minutes infront of me.
you’re sloppy and haphazard reporting also fail to mention a life flight left the scene.
ALSO there is NO mention of the flatbed driver being under the influence..the reason for his transportation to the facilities are more than likely in accordence WITH DOT REGULATION THAT STATES AND DRIVER OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A WRECK MUST SUBMIT TO A DOT DRUG AND ALCHAHOL TEST.
which is not a standard roadside sobriety test. This must be performed at a qualified facility that can collect and test specimens.
I would suggest before you go reporting half facts and slandering someone by accousing them of being under the influence you actually check the facts first, if I was this truck driver and saw this report you made if infact his test results come back negative , I would have you’re ass in court.
And just for more info when I went by the flatbed wreck the driver and his son along with both set of cars were all standing around still telling the officers thier half of the story.
And yes I was going northbound roughly 5-8 minutes behind where the 2nd wreck and slowdown started.
Steve: I double-checked the Patriot-News article, and the Carlisle Sentinel article which I linked in the post. You are right, the Swift truck was going north, and crossed into southbound traffic. I guess I read the article too quickly; I made the correction, thank you for pointing that out. The article doesn’t state why the truck crossed into oncoming traffic, one of the comments in the Patriot-News article says it was because a car cut off the Swift truck.
As for the second accident, where the flatbed truck ends up in the median, what can I say, the Carlisle Sentinel article which is linked says the truck driver, Travis Woods was arrested, charged with driving under the influence, and transported to Cumberland County Prison. Hey, I wasn’t there, I don’t know, but that’s what the article says.
I am on this section at less seven times a week and I see most of the Swift truckers speeding and tail gating. Suggestions=Police ticketing the above violations and I don’t want to here any darn excuses for not taking corrective actions with results!If the mission calls for it, Get it DONE!
Putting up barrier between North and South!
BOTTOM LINE=Driving slow enough to STOP before hitting anything. Doesn’t matter what speed is posted! Everyone should be driving defensively.