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Fluvanna County, Virginia Sheriff Eric Hess is urging county residents and truckers to drive with more caution after a terrible Jan. 24 truck crash near Bremo Bluff.

The Virginia State Police reported that the deadly tractor trailer crash happened that day at 9:10 am when a big rig carrying sand crossed the double yellow line and slammed head on into a car traveling in the opposite direction. 

The victims in this deadly head on truck crash were 69-year-old Roderick V. Manifold and 69-year-old Demetria B. Manifold, a couple living in Lake Monticello, and Demetria’s Mother, 91-year-old Marion J. Brewer of Chesapeake.

Virginia State Police stated that they are still investigating the crash, but it appears that distracted driving was not a factor. Most likely, the heavy rainfall at the time of the tragedy was a contributing factor. Hess noted that driving in those conditions is extremely hazardous.

‘Any time you are driving in heavy rain, you must drive defensively,’ Hess said. He noted that it is very important to watch for vehicles coming in the other direction, especially big, heavy commerical trucks.

Hess noted that he was one of the first police at the scene of this particular truck crash, and it was one of the most stressful and upsetting he has ever seen.

Since July 2015, there have been four traffic deaths in Fluvanna County.

Our View

According to the US Department of Transportation, 22% of traffic accidents each year are related to the weather. Most of these are due to rain or frozen precipitation. Further, 6,000 people die in weather related-wrecks across the country each year.

All of these crashes are tragic, and many of them are preventable. Commercial vehicle drivers are held to a higher standard than regular drivers. The Virginia CDL manual stresses that commerical drivers need to slow down and drive with extreme caution in bad weather. Their vehicles are much larger and heavier, and a loss of control can lead to catastrophic accidents, as this sad, Virginia head on truck crash makes all too clear.

Tractor trailer accidents usually end in serious personal injury or death. This is the reason that the Virginia CDL manual has so many pages dedicated to safe driving of commerical trucks and buses.

If the worst does happen and you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a tractor trailer crash, it is important to consider the legal options open to you in Virginia. You have the right to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. With the help of a skilled and experienced Virginia personal injury attorney, you may be able to recover a substantial settlement or jury verdict, such as this case that we settled for $5.5 million. 

 

 

 

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