• Dash Cam of the Week: Rude awakening

    How did that dry van rig get on top of the car hauler? Is this a stunt from a video game or a movie? We’re going to stretch the nature of our Dash Cam of the Week a tad, in order to pass along this “you’ve got to see it believe it” account of a truck crash in Indiana Tuesday.
    May 27, 2016
    2 min read

    How did that dry van rig get on top of the car hauler? Is this a stunt from a video game or a movie?

    We’re going to stretch the nature of our Dash Cam of the Week a tad, in order to pass along this “you’ve got to see it believe it” account of a truck crash in Indiana Tuesday.

    As illustrated in the Indiana State Police photo, the accident involved two tractor-trailers and a subsequent fire, and it closed US 30 in Columbia City for several hours.

    According to police and eye witness accounts, the empty car hauler was stopped at red light when the other semi plowed into the back and jumped the ramp. Both cabs burst into flames.

    The good news is bystanders pulled the driver of the carhauler from the burning wreckage, and he escaped with burns to his shoulder and hand. The driver of the second vehicle was unhurt.

    He told police he fell asleep at the wheel.

    Local television station WANE has the full story, including the use of a crane to separate the rigs (sorry about the short commerical):

    Please, driver: Know the signs of fatigue; even better, know how to prevent fatigue in the first place. We’ve got a handy guide with resources here: Asleep at the wheel? Not if you know the signs. (Be advised, however, the educational video below is a powerful sleep aid.)

    About the Author

    Kevin Jones

    Editor

    Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.

    Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.

    Sign up for our free eNewsletters

    Voice Your Opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!