Big Rig Accidents 9-1-2009
Plainview/Amarillo, Texas Big Rig Accident:
A Plainview physician who was planning to move his practice to Amarillo died over the weekend in a traffic accident. Bryan Peeler, 47, was traveling westbound on U.S. 70 just east of Paducah around 9 p.m. Sunday when he pulled to the side of the road to let his children go to the bathroom, according to Department of Public Safety Trooper Daniel Hawthorne. Peeler pulled his vehicle to the left, across the opposite lane of travel, and stopped on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic. A tractor-trailer traveling eastbound swerved into the barrow ditch, striking and killing Peeler, Hawthorne said. His two sons were unharmed, DPS said. Peeler’s wife, Julie, was traveling in a separate car behind him and had also pulled her vehicle over to the side of the road. Peeler was closing his practice in Plainview and was planning to join Amarillo Medical Specialists. His Plainview office was closed Monday for a “family emergency,” according to a recorded message. “We were looking forward to him joining us in a matter of weeks,” said Amarillo endocrinologist William Biggs, a member of the group. “We were so thrilled to think he was going to join. He had such a wonderful personality.
Grapevine, California Big Rig Accident:
A woman was killed when a big rig lost its brakes coming down the Grapevine and smashed into dozens of cars. The accident happened shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday on northbound Interstate 5 south of Grapevine Road near the truck escape ramp, the California Highway Patrol reported. The driver of the big rig was unable to exit on the escape ramp and slammed into numerous vehicles. One car was completely destroyed after it flipped, the CHP reported. Sumiko Imamura, 67, of Frenso, was ejected from that vehicle and died at the scene, the CHP reported. Three others were injured in the crash. The big rig, without its brakes, ended up several miles from the accident scene. All northbound lanes were shut down for about two hours. The CHP’s investigation is continuing.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truck-related highway fatalities totaled 4,229 in 2008. If someone you know was injured or killed as the result of an 18-wheeler accident, big rig accident or tractor-trailer accident, encourage them to immediately contact a competent attorney for advice. It is extremely important to do this quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved, statements are taken, and the rights of all claimants are protected.
