Commercial Driver Dies after Overturning on Two-Lane State Highway, Kentucky

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

On Monday, September 30, 2019, a 68-year-old male commercial truck driver (the victim) was traveling on a state maintained, two-lane highway travelling to a Kentucky based business. While en route, the driver lost control of the truck and trailer, struck a W-beam guardrail, and overturned into an embankment.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

• Traveling too fast for terrain.
• Failing to inspect equipment.
• Operating equipment with inadequate brakes.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky FACE investigator concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:

• Commercial motor vehicle operators should adjust speed to safely match adverse terrain conditions.
• CMV operators should complete driver vehicle inspection reports on all equipment prior to operating commercial vehicles.
• The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet should consider assigning commercial vehicle-specific speed limits to state highways.

Commercial Driver Dies after Overturning on Two-Lane State Highway, Kentuckypdf icon [PDF 1,312 KB]