Tractor-Trailer Crash Involving 15-Passenger Van Kills 11 People

March 26, 2010, by Michael A. DeMayo

In a tragic truck crash making national headlines, 11 people were killed on Friday when a tractor-trailer crossed a median to crash head on into a 15-passenger van. The impact of the semi-trailer accident killed the truck driver and killed Mennonite minister John Eshe, his wife Sadie, their daughter-in-law, four of their two children, the fiancé of their daughter, a baby grandson, and a family friend. The 10 of them were riding in the van. Two children, ages 5 and 3, survived, but their parents, Leroy Eshe and his wife, were among those that died.

The semi-trailer crash happened between 5:30 AM and 6 AM on Interstate 65. The operator of the tractor-trailer involved in the collision is Hester Inc.

North Carolina Truck Accidents
Our Charlotte, North Carolina truck accident lawyers represent victims and their families. Truckers must be careful when operating such large vehicles that often carry up to 80,000 pounds of cargo. Most cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians are defenseless when colliding with a tractor-trailer.

Many trucking companies are equipped to immediately begin fighting against any claims of liability. This is why you shouldn’t try to take on an insurer without speaking with a Monroe semi-truck crash law firm first.

Common causes of North Carolina truck crashes:

• Poor road conditions
• Overloaded trucks
• Drowsiness
• Sleep apnea
• Text messaging
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Failure to obey traffic laws and signs
• Faulty brakes
• Products liability
• Driver inexperience
• Inadequate trucker training
• Drunk driving
• Failure to abide by hours-of-service rule

11 killed in Kentucky wreck, CNN, March 26, 2010

11 killed when tractor-trailer, van crash in Ky., Associated Press, March 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
15-Passenger Van Accidents, Safercar.gov

Truck Accidents, Nolo