A serious chain-reaction crash involving five vehicles, including a tow truck, sent two people to the hospital Wednesday morning on the outer loop of I-495 in Montgomery County, Maryland.
According to authorities, the crash occurred just before 11:30 a.m. when a tow truck traveling west of Maryland Route 187 allegedly failed to control its speed and struck the rear of a Honda Civic. The force of the impact caused the tow truck to veer off the roadway and then reenter traffic, where it struck a Ford Ranger. That collision triggered a domino effect, sending the Ranger into a Chevrolet Traverse and the Traverse into a Dodge Grand Caravan. The drivers of the Honda Civic and Ford Ranger were transported to area hospitals with injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Whenever I hear about chain-reaction crashes involving commercial vehicles, I think about how critical it is for drivers of large trucks and tow vehicles to maintain safe speeds and following distances. In my experience, when commercial drivers fail to properly manage speed in traffic, they risk turning a single braking event into a multi-vehicle pileup.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Contributed to the Tow Truck Driver’s Failure to Slow?
One of the first questions investigators should consider in any rear-end collision involving a commercial vehicle is whether the driver was fully alert. Distraction and fatigue are leading causes of crashes like this.
At highway speeds, even a few seconds of inattention, whether caused by a phone, on-board equipment, or fatigue from long hours, can prevent a commercial vehicle driver from stopping in time. Investigators should review the tow truck driver’s hours-of-service records and any dash cam or in-cab video to determine whether distraction or fatigue played a role in the failure to control speed.
Could Mechanical Issues Have Reduced the Truck’s Stopping Ability?
While driver error is often a key factor, investigators should also consider whether the tow truck’s braking system or tires contributed to the crash. In my experience, worn brakes, improper maintenance, or overloaded trucks can significantly extend stopping distances and make it difficult to avoid collisions in traffic.
A complete inspection of the tow truck, including its brake system, tires, and load condition, should be conducted to determine whether mechanical deficiencies may have limited the driver’s ability to avoid rear-ending the Honda Civic and triggering the chain reaction.
What Evidence Should Be Examined?
To fully understand how this crash unfolded, investigators should collect Engine Control Module (ECM) data from the tow truck to determine its speed and braking activity before impact. Physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, vehicle damage, and final positions, will help reconstruct the sequence of collisions.
Why Thorough Investigation Is Essential in Chain-Reaction Commercial Vehicle Crashes
From my experience, crashes like this rarely involve just one mistake. They are often the result of several factors, including driver inattention and vehicle condition. Whether this crash was caused by one or both of these factors, a complete investigation will be essential to provide clear answers.