Three people were killed Monday afternoon in a crash involving a U-Haul truck and a construction van on New Circle Road near Liberty Road in Lexington. According to officials, the crash occurred just after noon and resulted in the van catching fire. Two people inside the U-Haul truck and one person in the van were killed. Authorities later identified the victims as 47-year-old William Kelly Curtin, 55-year-old Emma Hayden, and 48-year-old Oleksandr Tyshko. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the collision.
Whenever I hear about a fatal crash involving commercial or rental vehicles like a U-Haul, I think about how important it is to examine the vehicle’s condition.
Could Poor Vehicle Condition or Maintenance Have Contributed?
One critical aspect that should be closely examined is the mechanical condition of the U-Haul truck. These vehicles are typically subject to high mileage, quick turnarounds between rentals, and a wide range of mechanical conditions. If the truck’s brakes, steering components, or tires were worn or malfunctioning, that could have affected the driver’s ability to avoid the crash. Investigators should review maintenance logs, inspection reports, and any recent complaints made by previous renters. It's also worth verifying whether the truck underwent routine safety checks before it was rented out. A failure in any of these areas could suggest that the crash may not have been entirely due to driver error.
What Evidence Should Be Collected?
To understand what happened, investigators should review any surveillance or dash camera footage and inspect both vehicles for mechanical issues. Witness statements, photos of the crash scene, and maintenance records for the U-Haul truck may also be important since there isn’t a lot of information about how the accident happened.
Why It’s Crucial to Ask These Questions
When a crash results in fatalities, it’s essential that every potential contributing factor is explored. In my experience, seemingly minor oversights—like a missed inspection—can have serious consequences. A complete investigation is the best way to figure out why the crash happened and provide answers for those affected by the accident.