North Carolina 18-Wheeler Accident Reminds Us of the Dangers Presented by Big Rigs

“Flash spudding” was the trending topic on Twitter on May 6 after a tractor-trailer hauling 25 tons of potatoes overturned on I-77 in North Carolina. The Twitterverse reacted promptly, describing the hundreds of yards of spud-covered highway as a scene of “mash destruction”. One user suggested renaming the stretch of road the “hashbrown highway,” while others simply hoped for a passing dairy truck to add butter and sour cream to the mess.

Twice-baked puns abound

The Two-Way, the breaking news division of National Public Radio, reported on the incident and the public reaction by publishing tweets and images from the scene. The North Carolina Department of Transportation got a mention for its tongue-in-cheek reports on the accident, promising an “update later on the taters.” The Two-Way has a penchant for road spills; they’ve reported in the past about:

• Fourteen million angry bees set loose in Idaho, where they terrorized rescue personnel and local television reporters. A “river of honey” was reported at the scene.
• About 5,000 chickens escaped a truck in Northern California after two big rigs collided. As you might expect, they were “trying to cross the road” despite the efforts of rescue workers.
• Thousands of piglets got loose from a truck in Ohio, and authorities spent hours trying to corral the animals.
• And from member station KPCC, a wrecked truck spilled about 100 gallons of olive oil near Riverside, Calif.

Wordplay distracts from the real issue

While these crashes have unintended effects and we appreciate the humor, 18-wheeler accidents are no laughing matter. WSCO Channel 9 reported, “A Channel 9 photographer was traveling behind the truck and witnessed the crash around 2am in the southbound lanes of I-77 near West Boulevard. The impact was so violent that the engine flew out of the big rig” (emphasis ours).

The driver was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center after being freed from the flaming wreck. He was conscious after the accident and is in stable condition. Troopers told Channel 9 that the driver said he fell asleep behind the wheel. The highway remained closed through rush hour while heavy machinery was used to clean up the spilled cargo.

While the cargo wasn’t inherently dangerous, the accident caused road closures and required detours during rush hour. Route alterations cause confusion, and stop-and-go traffic is rife with opportunity for a low-speed collision. Even when big rigs aren’t the direct cause of an accident, they are still dangerous to you and your loved ones.

If you or a loved one has been in a commercial truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and lost wages. The experienced South Carolina 18-wheeler accident attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today or call 803-327-7800 for a free consultation.