Semi-Truck Driver Dies in Single Vehicle Collision After Truck Overturns, Kentucky

Kentucky Case Report: 20KY10
Release Date: August 17, 2020

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 Wednesday, January 22, 2020, a commercial truck driver was traveling north, in the left lane, on a four-lane Kentucky interstate en route to an out-of-state destination. At approximately 6:00 PM, the vehicle began exiting the highway to the left and onto the shoulder. Collison investigators say the driver attempted to steer the vehicle back onto the roadway, but overcorrected and struck a W-beam guardrail located on the left shoulder of the roadway. After striking the guardrail, the vehicle overturned as it traveled across an overpass section of the highway and came to final rest on the surface street below. The victim succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. On May 21, 2020, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet informed the Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program of the incident. On June 5, 2020, the Kentucky FACE investigator conducted a site visit at which time photographs of the scene were taken.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

  • Possible distracted driving
  • Possible fatigue
  • Possible driver inattention

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

  • Commercial carriers should implement lane departure warning technology in fleet trucks.
  • The Federal Highway Department should consider installing concrete barriers in areas which lead to overpasses.
  • Commercial carriers should install forward and driver facing cameras in fleet trucks.
  • Companies who require employees to drive should implement a distracted driving policy and associated training.

Semi-Truck Driver Dies in Single Vehicle Collision After Truck Overturns, Kentuckypdf icon [PDF 1,118 KB]

Page last reviewed: January 20, 2021