Cannelburg Firefighter Killed by Drunken Driver in Secondary Crash
A 26-year-old volunteer firefighter from Cannelburg has been accused of
crashing his truck into three other firefighters’ vehicles, killing
one. The firefighters had been assisting in a crash about 115 miles southwest
of Indianapolis in Daviess County. The young firefighter arrived at the
scene to assist, but was drunk and struck the rear of another truck, hit
a car and one of the on-scene firefighters, who was tragically killed.
The driver of the initial car crash was also intoxicated.
The firefighter has been charged with preliminary reckless driving and
operating while intoxicatedcausing death. He had been driving with a blood
alcohol level of 0.21 percent. Indiana’s legal limit is 0.08. The
case is currently an open investigation. In 2016, 178 people were killed
throughout Indiana because of drunk driving.
Common Findings of Secondary Crashes
Transportation officials and crash investigators have found secondary crashes
to share several common characteristics like location, collision, and
speed. Though these commonalities do not explain or describe all secondary
crashes, they are useful in creating prevention efforts.
- High-populated areas: Secondary crashes can happen anywhere but are more
common in urban areas due to the sheer number of vehicles passing a wreck
on already overfilled roads. In addition, secondary crashes are much more
likely to occur during heavy traffic such as rush hour and can contribute
up to 50 percent of traffic congestion. When crashes occur in these areas,
they also raise the risk of injuries to others as well as cause additional
pedestrian or traffic accidents. - Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions are very common in primary crashes,
but studies show them to be even more common in secondary incidents where
they account for the cause in over half of all crashes. When looking at
accidents overall, rear-end collisions account for around 16 percent of
traffic fatalities. - Speeding: Speed is the most common factor in secondary crashes since it
makes it more difficult for drivers to accurately perceive dangerous obstacles
or other vehicles. Drivers who are speeding are also much more likely
to have difficulty stopping in time to avoid an accident. As with rear-end
collisions, the role of speeding in secondary crashes surpasses its role
in primary accidents.
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) estimates that 18 percent of freeway traffic related fatalities are attributed
to secondary crashes.
Wagner Reese Attorneys Are Indianapolis Car Accident Experts
Our experienced
car accident attorneys have helped recover millions of dollars for clients injured in vehicle
crashes, as well as for the families of those who have lost their lives
as the result of the wrongdoing of another driver. Whether you or someone
you know has been injured by a drunken driver, involved in a secondary
crash, or in a fatal car wreck, we can help.
We offer a FREE consultation and do not take payment of any kind until
your case is won or settled. Complete and
submit the online form, and our attorneys will review your information and respond promptly.
If you wish to speak directly with us, please call (888) 204-8440.
