A crash on a foggy Wednesday morning in Pasco left one driver dead after a semi-truck hauling a double tanker trailer struck a Ford Ranger on Highway 12. Authorities identified the pickup driver as 63-year-old Eric L. Wommack of Pomeroy. According to the Washington State Patrol, the semi driver was crossing both lanes of the highway at the time of the crash.
Whenever I hear about a crash like this, I think about whether the truck driver took appropriate precautions for low-visibility conditions. Fog can make it difficult for both truck drivers and other motorists to judge distance and speed, which is why extra caution is critical when crossing active lanes of traffic.
Was the Semi-Truck Operated Safely for Foggy Conditions?
The key question here is whether the semi-truck driver accounted for limited visibility when attempting to cross Highway 12. In foggy conditions, safe operation means adjusting speed, using headlights, and waiting for a clear and safe opportunity before pulling into oncoming traffic. Investigators should determine if the truck was moving too slowly or hesitating in the roadway.
Another factor to examine is whether the truck’s lights and reflective markings were clearly visible. Semi-trucks are required to have reflective tape and proper lighting to help make them more visible in low-light conditions. If visibility was severely reduced, the truck’s presence and movement may not have been clear to the pickup driver.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
To get a full picture of what happened, investigators should analyze the semi-truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) to review speed, braking, and throttle inputs leading up to the crash. Additionally, any available dashcam footage or surveillance video from nearby businesses could provide clarity on whether the truck was moving too slowly or was difficult to see in the fog.
Witness statements will also be important, especially from other drivers who may have encountered visibility challenges on the highway that morning. Investigators should also consider examining the semi-truck driver’s cell phone records to see if distraction played a role in the crash.
Why These Questions Matter
Foggy conditions require extra caution from every driver on the road. Since large commercial vehicles take longer to move through intersections, they need to be even more careful in this kind of weather. In my experience, these types of crashes often reveal missed details, and a thorough investigation will be key to understanding exactly how this happened.