San Bernardino County, CA (May 6, 2024) – In a tragic incident, two San Bernardino men working as part of an eight-man crew contracted by Caltrans were fatally struck by a box truck.
Accident Details: The accident occurred on the northbound 71 Freeway near Euclid Avenue. The crew worked for Chrysalis, a non-profit group. King died at the scene after the truck collision. Another 36-year-old man was taken to the hospital with major injuries but also died. A third worker was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
Investigation: Authorities have confirmed that neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash, and the driver of the box truck was not arrested. As a personal injury attorney, I believe several aspects warrant examination.
Driver Vigilance and Distraction: Although impairment does not seem to be a factor, the truck driver’s behavior must be investigated. Was the driver of the box truck distracted at the time of the accident? Or, perhaps he was too fatigued. Investigators should examine his log book to ensure he was following federal regulations for truck drivers.
Work Zone Safety: Another aspect is whether the eight-man crew was working in a safely marked zone. Were proper safety protocols and signage in place to alert oncoming traffic of the work zone ahead? Ensuring that adequate precautions were taken to protect the workers is essential.
Vehicle Maintenance: Mechanical issues such as brake failures or steering malfunctions could have contributed to the incident.
Wrongful Death: King and the other deceased’s families may be able to file a wrongful death claim if they can prove negligence was the cause of the accident. Wrongful death claims provide compensation to the families of victims of negligence, including funeral and burial expenses.
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Levi King and the other man who was killed in the accident.
Source: Champion Newspapers