Law enforcement authorities with the North Carolina Highway Patrol reported that three people lost their lives and eight others were seriously injured when a large truck struck five vehicles on U.S. 52 North. The collision reportedly occurred on Oct. 30 around 2:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes near the Westinghouse exit in Rural Hall.
According to troopers, the truck’s driver failed to slow down when approaching a construction zone where the two highway lanes were merging into a single one. Traffic had backed up at the lane merger area. The truck driver allegedly hit a minivan before continuing on to crash into four additional vehicles.
Included in those killed was a 10-year-old boy. Another child, a 13-year-old boy riding in the minivan, was reportedly in critical condition. The 13-year-old was transported to the hospital for treatment along with seven others who were injured. The police are using a specialized accident reconstruction scene in their investigation of the accident. The multi-vehicle crash resulted in significant debris clean up. Traffic was delayed by several hours on U.S. 52 following the fatal collision.
When people are killed in car accidents because of the negligence of another driver, the driver may face civil liability for his or her role in causing the fatal crash. When the driver is a semi-truck driver who is working at the time of the accident, both the driver and his or her employer may face liability. Many people are killed in large truck accidents every year due to driver fatigue and speeding. By filing wrongful death claims, the families of those killed may be able to recover compensation for the economic and noneconomic losses they have suffered as a result of their loved one’s death. In some cases, families may also be able to recover punitive damages.
Source: News & Record, “Rural Hall crash kills 3, injures 8“, John Hinton, October 31, 2014
