Dump Truck Driver Dies in Multi-Vehicle Collision after Truck Overturns, Kentucky
Kentucky Case Report: 20KY030
Release Date: November 24, 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 Tuesday, August 18, 2020, a commercial dump truck driver (victim) was traveling west, on a four-lane Kentucky interstate en route to deliver a load of gravel. At approximately 11:05 AM, a passenger vehicle attempting to merge onto the interstate failed to yield and struck the dump truck on the passenger’s side. As a result, the driver of the dump truck lost control of the vehicle, collided with a second passenger car and subsequently rolled into the median, spilling the load of gravel onto the interstate in both the east and westbound lanes. The driver of the dump truck was extricated by emergency responders and transported by ambulance to a local hospital. After arriving at the local hospital, the driver’s condition deteriorated, and he was flown to a major university hospital located out of state. The victim succumbed to his injuries at 10:30 PM later that same night.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:
- Failure to perform road test
- No formal driver training program
- No defensive driver training
RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky FACE investigator concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:
- Commercial carriers should require drivers to complete defensive driver training, prior to driving company-owned vehicles.
- Commercial carriers should implement a road-testing program for all new incoming commercial drivers to verify their driving skillset.
- Commercial carriers should implement formalized driver training program for all new, incoming drivers that includes a performance evaluation period.
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