A pregnant woman suffered critical injuries, and her unborn child did not survive after a crash involving an 18-wheeler and a KIA Seltos near Port Barre, Louisiana. According to Louisiana State Police, the collision occurred just before 8 a.m. on US 190 at LA 743 when the semi-truck failed to yield at a stop sign and crossed into the path of the westbound KIA. The KIA rear-ended the trailer of the semi, resulting in serious injuries for the woman. The semi-truck driver was uninjured.
Whenever I hear about a semi-truck failing to yield at an intersection, I think about whether the driver was distracted, fatigued, or failed to judge the speed of oncoming traffic. Large trucks require extra time and space to turn, and if a truck enters a highway without sufficient clearance, oncoming vehicles may have no way to avoid a collision.
Did the Semi-Truck Driver Misjudge the Turn?
One of the most pressing questions in this crash is why the semi-truck pulled into the path of the KIA. Was the truck driver in a rush, distracted, or unaware of the approaching vehicle? Investigators should review surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, and witness statements to determine whether the driver failed to properly check for oncoming traffic before making the turn.
Did Driver Fatigue or Distraction Play a Role?
Fatigue and distraction are two of the most common contributing factors in crashes involving commercial trucks. Long hours on the road can reduce reaction time and impair judgment, making it more likely for a driver to miss a stop sign or miscalculate an intersection turn. Investigators should review the truck driver's logbooks, in-cab camera footage, and cell phone records to determine whether fatigue or distraction played a role.
What Evidence Should Be Examined?
To fully understand what happened, investigators should examine Engine Control Module (ECM) data from the semi-truck to determine its speed at the time of the crash and whether the driver attempted to stop. Reviewing traffic camera footage, physical evidence from the scene, and statements from witnesses will also help establish the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Why These Types of Questions Are Important
Collisions between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks at intersections are often catastrophic, as passenger vehicles have little protection against the sheer size and weight of a big rig. Understanding whether driver misjudgment, distraction, or fatigue played a role in this crash is essential for figuring out why it happened in the first place. In my experience, investigations like these often reveal critical details that weren’t immediately obvious but are crucial in understanding the full picture.