A collision between a CATA shuttle bus and a semi-truck shut down part of I-96 in Ingham County, Michigan, after the bus caught fire following the crash Wednesday afternoon.
According to authorities, the crash occurred around 4:15 p.m. when the westbound bus, which was operated by a contracted Transdev driver, reportedly rear-ended the semi-truck. The bus burst into flames, sending smoke across the highway. The driver, who was the only person aboard the bus, was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-truck driver was not injured. The Ingham Regional Crash Investigation Team continues to investigate what caused the crash.
Whenever I hear about a fatal rear-end collision involving two commercial vehicles, I usually have questions about the operation of each vehicle. It will be critical to examine the mechanical condition of both the bus and the semi, as well as the actions of both drivers.
Could Mechanical Issues, Improper Maintenance, or Defects Have Reduced the Bus’s Stopping Ability?
While driver attention is often a key factor, it’s equally important to examine whether the bus’s condition contributed to the crash. Worn brakes, tire problems, or other maintenance issues can severely limit a commercial vehicle’s ability to slow down in time, especially in high-speed highway conditions.
At the same time, investigators should also consider whether a product defect could have played a role. Defective brake components, malfunctioning anti-lock braking systems, or flaws in the vehicle’s design may prevent the driver from stopping in time, even if the vehicle was properly maintained.
A thorough investigation should include a complete inspection of the bus’s braking system, tires, and other safety-critical components, along with a review of the vehicle’s maintenance history. Additionally, experts should assess whether any defective parts or systems may have contributed to the collision or the fire that followed.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed to Understand the Crash?
To reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the causes of the crash, investigators should collect Engine Control Module (ECM) data from the bus, which will provide vital information about its speed, braking activity, and throttle input leading up to the impact. In addition, physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle resting positions, skid marks, and debris patterns, will help clarify how the crash unfolded. Dash cam footage may also offer valuable insights into the traffic conditions and driver response.
Why Careful Investigation Is Crucial in Commercial Vehicle Crashes
From my experience, rear-end crashes involving commercial vehicles are rarely cut and dry. They often involve a combination of factors, all of which must be carefully examined to understand what happened. Whether a defect, mechanical failure, or other issue contributed to this crash, only a thorough investigation will provide answers to those affected.