Three high school students were killed Tuesday afternoon in a crash involving a semi-truck at the intersection of Fairforest Clevedale Road and Old Blackstock Road in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 4 p.m. when a 2004 Dodge pickup truck and a 2010 Chevrolet coupe, both traveling west on Old Blackstock Road, struck a semi-truck that was attempting to turn onto the roadway. All three occupants of the Dodge pickup were killed. The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to the hospital with injuries.
When I hear about a crash involving a semi-truck making a turn across active traffic lanes, I think about how much responsibility commercial drivers carry in these situations. In my experience, turns like these require not only precise maneuvering but also good judgment about whether there’s enough time and space to safely complete the turn. Understanding whether that turn was made safely is at the center of investigating crashes like this.
Could Driver Judgment or Decision-Making Have Contributed to the Crash?
When a semi-truck enters or crosses a roadway, the driver has to accurately assess the distance and speed of oncoming traffic. One of the key questions investigators will need to answer is whether the truck driver initiated the turn with enough time for approaching vehicles to react or whether that turn created a hazard that left other drivers with no safe opportunity to avoid the collision.
The truck’s maneuvering, timing, and positioning at the moment of the crash will be critical elements to review in determining whether the turn was made safely and lawfully.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Affected the Truck Driver’s Awareness?
Truck drivers often operate under tight schedules, which can lead to fatigue or lapses in attention, both of which may impair decision-making. In a situation where a commercial vehicle is making a turn across traffic, even a brief lapse in awareness can lead to catastrophic results.
Investigators should review the truck driver’s hours-of-service records, cell phone data, rest history, and any available in-cab video to assess whether distraction or fatigue may have contributed to the decision to turn.
Key Evidence That Should Be Reviewed
To fully understand how this crash occurred, investigators will need to examine both physical and digital evidence. The truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) data may provide details about speed, braking, and throttle input at the time of the collision. Dash cam footage could also show how the turn was executed and whether any evasive actions were attempted.
Physical evidence from the scene, including tire marks, damage points, and vehicle resting positions, will also help reconstruct the crash. Statements from witnesses, including any other motorists in the area, may further clarify the sequence of events.
Why Careful Investigation Matters
When a crash involving a semi-truck results in fatalities, the need for a complete and unbiased investigation becomes even more urgent. From my experience, these cases demand a detailed review of the truck driver’s decisions, vehicle condition, and available evidence. Only through a thorough investigation can the critical questions be answered about how this happened and why.