A multi-vehicle crash involving three semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle left a major section of I-75 covered in spilled fuel and cargo late Tuesday night. The accident, which occurred near mile marker 351 in the southbound lanes, resulted in extensive damage to all three trucks, a fire in one of the engine compartments, and injuries to all three truck drivers—two of whom are in serious condition. The cause of the crash remains unclear.
Whenever I see a crash involving multiple semi-trucks, I think about how important it is to figure out what factors contributed to the incident. Understanding whether this was due to driver actions, mechanical failure, or some other factor will be key to getting the full picture.
Did a Driver Fail to Follow at a Safe Distance?
One of the key questions investigators will need to answer is whether one of the truck drivers failed to adjust their speed or following distance to avoid a collision. Given that two of the trucks sustained heavy front and rear-end damage, it’s possible that at least one driver was unable to stop in time. The size and weight of commercial trucks mean that maintaining a safe following distance is crucial to preventing pileups.
Could a Mechanical Issue Have Played a Role?
With three semi-trucks involved, mechanical issues such as brake failures, steering malfunctions, or transmission problems could have contributed to the crash. Investigators should examine the Engine Control Modules (ECM) from each truck to determine whether any sudden braking, loss of power, or erratic movements occurred in the moments before the crash. Additionally, reviewing the maintenance history of each truck could reveal whether any known mechanical defects were present.
Evidence That Should Be Examined
A thorough investigation will require analyzing ECM data from all three trucks, any available dashcam footage, and surveillance footage from nearby highway cameras. Investigators should also inspect the crash scene for skid marks or signs of evasive maneuvers to determine how the trucks were positioned before impact. They should also examine cell phone records of the drivers to see if distraction potentially played a role.
The Importance of a Detailed Investigation
Crashes like this emphasize how complex semi-truck collisions can be. When multiple trucks are involved, determining what happened isn’t always straightforward, and several factors may have contributed to the incident. In my experience, these cases require a close look at driver actions and mechanical performance to get a complete understanding of what happened.