TRUCK DRIVER DIES WHEN TRACTOR-TRAILER LEAVES THE ROAD AND PLUNGES INTO A CREEK-BED

 

TRUCK DRIVER DIES WHEN TRACTOR-TRAILER LEAVES THE ROAD AND PLUNGES INTO A CREEK-BED

In the early morning hours of a fall day, exact time unknown and the length of time driving unknown, a 28-year-old male truck driver was driving north on an interstate transporting 30,000 lbs. of blue plastic injection molding pellets. 

The semi-truck was a 2007 Volvo. The driver had a four-year-old son and wife 8 months pregnant with their second child. The company had 10 tractors and 12 trailers with 7 drivers. The trucking company was based in a midwest state and transported general freight but not hazardous materials. The company had been in business since April 10, 2007.

The truck driver exited the highway behind a guardrail and traveled 1,320 feet, striking a wire fence and several trees before plummeting into a creek bed, shearing the cab open. 

At 10:27 a.m., a citizen called in to the fire department to report a mysterious blue substance observed in the creek a couple of miles down from the accident. The fire department arrived on scene, followed the creek and found the semi in the creek. 

The driver was extricated by mechanical means by the fire department and declared dead at the scene by the coroner’s office. 

To prevent future occurrences of similar incidents, the following recommendations have been made: 

Recommendation No. 1: Semi tractor-trailer drivers should routinely receive refresher training to recognize signs of fatigue and drowsiness and when to seek appropriate rest periods. 

Recommendation No. 2: Never turn off your airbags while driving a tractor-trailer. 

Recommendation No. 3: Motor carriers need to monitor their drivers’ driving records for key violations that indicate a future crash is likely. 

Recommendation No. 4: Motor carriers should consider regular online safety training that allows drivers the flexibility to complete course(s) at times convenient to their busy schedules.

CONSTRUCTION FLAGGER STRUCK AND KILLED IN TWO-LANE HIGHWAY WORK ZONE

 

CONSTRUCTION FLAGGER STRUCK AND KILLED IN TWO-LANE HIGHWAY WORK ZONE

On a clear, cold, Monday, January 20, 2014, a 36-year-old married flagger entered a two-lane highway with his back toward oncoming traffic and was struck by a 2010 red Toyota Corolla, driven by a 53 year-old motorist.  The seven-man crew had finished setting up a construction zone on a two-lane highway to repair damaged guardrails along the westbound side of the roadway.  The crew had placed alert signs in each direction of travel in preparation to stop all traffic prior to completely closing the westbound lane and had just dropped off the victim, who was designated as the flagger for the eastbound traffic. 

Traffic flow was to be coordinated with flaggers by two-way radios. Witnesses stated that the victim walked out into the eastbound lane with his back to oncoming traffic while facing the other flagger and the lane of traffic he stepped into had not yet been stopped. The victim was struck from behind by a passenger vehicle traveling approximately 55 mph.  

Police interviews with the driver stated that his vision was obscured due to the glare of the sun through his windshield and he did not see the victim.

The employer of the dead worker is a highway construction contractor specializing in the installation and maintenance of highway signs, guard rails, and cable barrier systems. The company was established in 1962 and has 40 employees.

Recommendation No. 1: Flaggers should never enter the roadway before traffic has been stopped and never turn their backs towards oncoming traffic. 

Recommendation No. 2: Operators of motor vehicles should always adhere to roadway warning signage by slowing down and paying close attention while in a work zone area. 

Recommendation No. 3: Employers should train employees quarterly to keep flagging safety policies and procedures fresh in their minds while working in highway situations. 

Recommendation No. 4: Companies should set up traffic control in accordance with the manual on uniform traffic control devices.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS KILLED OR INJURED BY A PREVENTABLE WORKPLACE HAZARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT MEANS THE EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR, NEEDLESS DEATH

FATAL 3-ALARM ELECTRIC FIRE IN REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS STARTED IN THE BASEMENT

 

FATAL 3-ALARM ELECTRIC FIRE IN REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS STARTED IN THE BASEMENT

February 5, 2015

REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS (CBS) –

Fire officials confirmed that one man died in a three-alarm fire in the extreme cold at a home in Revere early Friday.

Flames started pouring from the rear of the two-story house on Reservoir Avenue around 5:45 a.m.

The rising smoke could be seen from miles away at sunrise.

Six people were in the building when the fire started – two elderly men, three other adults and a child.

The adults and child escaped safely.

A neighbor said her husband rushed to the house and knocked on the door around 6 a.m., but no one answered and smoke was visible inside.

Revere Deputy Fire Chief Chris Bright told WBZ-TV he knew where his uncle’s basement room was located so he ran to that area.

Bright added that the door is normally locked, but fortunately it was open on Friday, so he entered the home and crawled through the smoke to rescue his uncle.

“I just crawled on my hands and knees into his room screaming for him, and he answered me. I grabbed him and pulled him out of the basement,” said Bright.

Bright’s other elderly uncle, Dennis Toomey, was in a first floor apartment. Authorities said throughout the morning that the man was unaccounted for, but just after 12 p.m. they confirmed he died in the fire.

Toomey’s neighbors recalled him fondly after hearing the news.

“It was always ‘Hey, Felicia! How’s your day? How’s it going? Going to work? What are you doing?'” said Felicia Cuopolo.

FROZEN AND BLOCKED HYDRANTS

Fire Chief Gene Doherty told WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Carl Stevens it was a struggle the moment they arrived.

A truck was blocking one hydrant, another was buried in snow and several others were frozen in the sub-zero wind chills. 

“Precious moments are lost when firefighters have to dig out hydrants to establish water supply,” said State Fire Marshall Stephen Coan.

The home is also on an ice-covered hill.

As the fire intensified, the roof collapsed.

There were initial concerns that as many as three people were unaccounted for, but two of them were found later in the morning.

Firefighters were delayed getting into the house because several hot spots were still burning inside.

Doherty said two firefighters left with minor injuries after falling on the ice.

There’s no word yet on how the fire started.

The fire is near the McKinley School, so authorities initially delayed the start of classes until 9:30 a.m. But the mayor later cancelled school there for the day.

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTRIAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY TRUCK IN INDIAN ORCHARD

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTRIAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY TRUCK IN INDIAN ORCHARD

February 8, 2015

SPRINGFIELD, MASS — Police have confirmed that a 66-year-old city resident who was struck by a vehicle Saturday evening has died as a result of his injuries. 

Sgt. John Delaney said the victim was walking across Berkshire Avenue between Harvey and Cottage streets when a truck hit him around 7:30 p.m., according to CBS 3 Springfield, media partner to The Republican and MassLive.com. Delaney said the man may have been leaving McCarthy's Tavern, but that the investigation is ongoing. 

Traffic was diverted away from the scene for several hours on Saturday night as the Springfield Police traffic Bureau worked to detail the crash. Delaney also said that charges have not been filed against the driver. 

The victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of the family.

//____________________________________________//

SPRINGFIELD, MASS — 

Police were on the scene of a serious traffic accident involving a pedestrian at a busy intersection in Indian Orchard on Saturday.

The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Berkshire Avenue and Cottage Street. Traffic was being diverted away from the intersection as officers worked to piece together what happened leading to the person being hit by the vehicle. 

A crew from CBS 3 Springfield, media partner to The Republican and MassLive.com, was dispatched and reported seeing some type of utility vehicle damaged and inside the police tape marking the accident scene. 

Springfield police Capt. Trent Duda said he couldn't provide details, including information regarding the condition or identity of the pedestrian, as officers were still actively working the scene.

This is a developing story which will be updated as additional information becomes available.

//_____________________________________________//

SPRINGFIELD -- Police continue to investigate a pedestrian accident that fatally injured a 67-year-old Stuart Street man in Indian Orchard Saturday night.

Sgt. John Delaney, public information officer for the department, identified the victim as Philip LaBranche. 


The incident occurred shortly after 7:20 p.m. on Berkshire Avenue near Cottage Street.


The victim was attempting to cross from the north side of the street to the south when he was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck heading west on Berkshire Avenue.


The driver, a 43-year-old Ludlow man, stopped and cooperated with police, Delaney said.

Investigators believe the victim may have just left McCarthy's Tavern at 811 Cottage Ave. The victim, who was not in a crosswalk, was wearing dark clothing, Delaney said.


The investigation is headed by Sgt. Stephen Wyszynski of the Traffic Division and the investigating officers are Christopher Goodrow, Robert Kalin and Edward Hiney.