Car Rear Ends Big Rig Near Vacaville
A little before 2 pm on Monday afternoon, a big-rig driver for FedEx was headed east on Interstate 80 between Vacaville and Dixon. He suspected he had a flat tire somewhere between Leisure Town and Midway Roads, so he pulled off the highway a short distance west of the Meridian Road exit to investigate. He parked his tractor-trailer off the roadway and onto the shoulder, and preliminary reports said he may have put out orange triangles as a precaution.
Driver Tragically Killed on Impact With Disabled FedEx Truck
These measures were not, unfortunately, sufficient safeguards against incidents. Not long after the FedEx driver had exited the highway and set up the hazard indications, a man driving a newer Dodge Dart in the slow lane began letting his vehicle drift toward the shoulder for reasons yet to be determined. Somewhat incredibly, the veering motorist exited the interstate at the precise point the big-rig driver had paused for repairs. The driver of the Dodge slammed head-on into the rear of the parked trailer. The collision was remarkably square for an accident, with the entire front end of the Dodge being symmetrically lodged under the end of the container-style trailer. The Dodge was totaled, with the front half shredded into unrecognizability and much of the hood and engine ripped clear off their moorings. Tragically, the driver of the vehicle was killed on the spot. Upon reaching the scene, the California Highway Patrol confirmed a fatality immediately, though first responders arrived at about 2:30 pm and checked the sedan for any other passengers. None were found.
No information was released on the condition of the operator of the FedEx truck.
Accident Created Significant Debris Along Interstate 80
The accident created significant debris, composed mainly of fragments of the shattered sedan, at about 3:203:20 p.m. California Highway Patrol issued a traffic alert for the region when some cleanup work required an additional lane. Though the lane closure was initially expected to only last about one hour, it was reported that all lanes at the point of I-80 were not open and back to normal until sometime after 6 p.m., 6 pm, four hours after the accident.
Official Cause of Crash Unknown
No other details regarding the place of origin, age, or name of either the FedEx driver or the driver of the Dodge Dart sedan have yet been made available to the public by the California Highway Patrol or the Solano County coroner’s office. There have also been no reports from relevant agencies regarding the possible cause for the drifting of the Dodge Dart. No mention of intoxication behind the wheel nor mechanical malfunction has been made, and the incident continues to be investigated.
We extend our condolences to the friends and family of the man who died in this tragic crash.
Crashes Involving Big Rigs Often Fatal
Crashes involving big rigs and personal automobiles often end with severe injuries or death as was the case on Monday. Such dire ramifications can result even if, as happened in the accident currently being discussed, only one of the vehicles is actually in motion.
It is crucial to have an experienced personal injury attorney investigating the events leading up to a crash. Especially when one of the victims has died and cannot explain what happened. Call and talk to an experienced Vacaville personal injury attorney today for assistance.
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Vacaville Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Vacaville personal injury attorney. If you or someone you hold dear has been seriously injured or has tragically passed away in a crash, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
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Image Credit: By Thomas R. Machnitzki (Own work), via Public Domain Images at Wikimedia Commons