A devastating early-morning crash involving a big rig claimed two lives and left several people injured Tuesday in Merced County.
The California Highway Patrol confirms the multi-vehicle accident occurred just before 4:30 a.m. south of Merced. KFSN-TV reports it took place at the intersection of Highway 59 and Furtado Road on June 21, 2022.
Investigators found that four vehicles were involved in the collision, including a semi-truck. Tragically, two victims did not survive the crash. Several other people were taken to the hospital with what were described as major injuries.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released. The California Highway Patrol continues to work to determine what caused the crash.
Big Rig Accident Dangers in Merced
Central Valley is a thriving agricultural and manufacturing region. That means local motorists will usually be sharing the roads with large transport and farming trucks, no matter when they drive. These giant and heavy vehicles can take up more than just one lane, and they can also be difficult to stop once they get going.
Big rig drivers can take their eyes from the road for a moment and then look up to see an obstacle that they won’t be able to brake or swerve to miss. With the heavy cargo they carry and the shape of semi-trucks, the occupants of other cars can be placed in jeopardy of receiving severe injuries and even be placed at risk of the loss of life.
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) tracks the consequences of accidents involving big rigs each year. In 2021 in Merced County, there were 128 total accidents involving injury that included the involvement of a large truck. Those accidents led to seven tragic deaths and over 180 injuries for the year.
Drivers must be extra cautious when around large farming trucks and semis. And careless and reckless truck drivers should be held accountable when their actions cause harm to others.
A word about truck accidents in Merced County…
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family through an insurance claim. Financial support should be expected to help with the burdens victims and their families face after a devastating crash.
You can read more about these cases on my page about truck accident claims in Merced County.
