March 9, 2017 – Tractor Trailer Overturns on I-295
A tractor trailer carrying 32,000 pounds of frozen chicken overturned on I-295 in Henrico this morning, according to Virginia State Police. At 5:15 AM the truck ran off the road and down an embankment. The vehicle flipped, sliding down the embankment, coming to a stop after striking several trees. The driver and passenger were taken to Henrico Doctors Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The road has been cleared, but roadside clean-up will continue throughout the morning.
The driver has been charged with reckless driving, as the responding officers believe that fatigue is what lead to the crash. Driver fatigue is caused by a lack of quality sleep, and by driving when you would normally be sleeping. Fatigue behind the wheel results in slow reaction times, lack of concentration, and poor judgment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year.
Here at ReidGoodwin we encourage you to only get behind the wheel if you feel awake and aware enough to drive safely. If you are on the road and feel that it is no longer safe for you to drive, pull over to a safe area and rest. Stay alert and help keep our roads safe.
If you or someone you know is injured by a fatigued or reckless driver please contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at ReidGoodwin to schedule a legal evaluation.