While most people understand that car accidents occur, the last thing anybody expects is to be involved in an accident as serious as the one that happened on the Pennsylvania Turnpike earlier this month. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our Pittsburgh truck accident attorneys want to discuss this incident because it highlights the dangers involved when it comes to heavier vehicles on the roadway. Our team strives to ensure that accident injury victims for what happened.
This Was A Horrific Crash
An early morning crash on January 5, 2020, left five people dead and more than 60 injured. The incident occurred at milepost 86 on the westbound section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mount Pleasant. This is about 40 miles from Pittsburgh, according to state police.
This was a chain-reaction incident involving a bus, tractor-trailers, and a car. According to a Pennsylvania state trooper, the tour bus “was headed on a downhill grade, and the bus was unable to negotiate a corner.” The trooper goes on to say “That bus went up an embankment, rolled over and then subsequently was hit by two tractor-trailers.”
These vehicles were then struck by a third tractor-trailer which then led to a car being involved in the crash.
The Westmoreland County coroner has released the names of those killed. Victims include the bus driver, Shuang Qing Feng, 58, of Flushing, New York. Two passengers on the bus were also killed, Eileen Zelis Aria, 35, of Bronx, New York, as well as Jaremy Vazquez, a 9-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York.
Also killed were two UPS drivers, Daniel Kepner, 53, and Dennis Kehler, 48. UPS says that they were both driving a tractor-trailer together. Aside from the deaths, around 60 people were taken to area hospitals with injuries.
These Incidents Devastating
Accidents involving large trucks and buses are particularly devastating. Both types of vehicles can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. There are often serious injuries in these incidents, particularly if a bus was carrying passengers as this one was.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 7,336 total heavy truck crashes during the latest reporting year. In incidents such as the one we reported on, it is not uncommon for the following injuries to occur:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
Let Us Help You Get Through This
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a truck accident that was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, seek legal assistance today. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our qualified and experienced team is ready to help you secure the compensation you need, including:
- Coverage of your medical bills related to the crash
- Lost income and benefits if you could not work
- Mental anguish damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
When you need a Pittsburgh truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-988-9467.