A large truck overturned and exploded on Highway 99 in Fresno County, killing the driver almost instantly.

First responders and investigators say that the truck and body were so badly burned that doctors must perform DNA tests to identify the body. Thankfully, no other vehicles were involved when the driver veered off the road and plunged down an embankment.

No other details are available about the wreck that took place in Selma on northbound 99 near Highland Avenue.

Safety Scores

Large trucks are very dangerous because their size makes it impossible for even experienced drivers to steer or stop them quickly. Once they start going in a certain direction, whether it’s the right way or the wrong way, they do not stop until they hit another solid object or the drivers are finally able to control them.

Truck driver fatigue is a serious problem, because an extra few hours without sleep is basically like an extra few drinks at happy hour. In the above story, it appears that this driver may have dozed off, lost control of the rig for a millisecond, and was unable to get it back on the road. Several years ago, most shipping companies transitioned from paying drivers by the mile to compensating them by the load. But that shift may have made the drowsy driving problem worse instead of better, because the more loads they haul, the more drivers earn. Newer trucks supposedly have foolproof electronic systems to measure hours of service compliance, but sooner or later (and probably sooner) someone will find a way to circumvent it.

In terms of Safety Management System scores, many HOS violations are essentially recordkeeping violations. An attorney knows what documents the inspectors want to see, when they want to see it, and what arguments will resonate with the judge if the documents come up short.

Getting Legal Help

The aggressive attorneys at Bigger & Harman, APC, are committed to giving individuals a voice when dealing with speeding and traffic tickets. Call today at 661-349-9300 or email attorney@markbigger.com to receive the personal professional attention you deserve. En español, llame al 661-349-9755.