Demetrius Powell, of Las Vegas, Died In Corona Semi-Truck Accident On The Interstate (15) Freeway By Temescal Canyon Road
CORONA, CALIFORNIA (July 3, 2022) – A man from Las Vegas identified as Demetrius Powell died in a Corona semi-truck accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:40 a.m. on Friday. Demetrius Powell was in a Kia that stalled in the slow lane of southbound I-15.
A big rig truck hauling a load of food products failed to slow down and rear-ended the Kia. The tractor-trailer truck went out of control following the crash and rolled onto its side.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Sadly, Demetrius Powell was beyond medical support and pronounced dead at the scene.
Riverside County firefighters found the big rig on fire and eventually were able to put it out. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Corona Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks can be incredibly dangerous, especially for those in smaller vehicles. According to the NHTSA, “In 2019 there were 5,005 people killed in crashes involving large trucks. This number was almost the same as in 2018 (5,006) Seventy-one percent of people killed in large-truck crashes in 2019 were occupants of other vehicles.” A large number of crashes happen during the early morning hours when visibility is reduced. There are a number of steps that truck companies and truck drivers can take to prevent accidents.
- Truck companies should ensure that their drivers are well-trained.
- Truck companies can install forward collision avoidance systems on their trucks.
- Truck drivers must be well-rested before the start of their shift.
- Truck drivers should ideally plan their routes out ahead of time.
Semi-truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial driver’s license. As professional drivers they are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be safe or reasonable given the prevailing conditions. Driving the speed limit could very well be dangerous if it is dark outside and drivers cannot see that far ahead of them. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in their own lane. Rear-end collisions tend to occur due to drivers that are speeding, distracted or following the lead vehicle too closely.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability could extend beyond the driver of a semi-truck. The company that a truck driver worked for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering food when a crash occured. However, many truck companies will try to avoid liability for crashes by hiring truck drivers as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- The employment status of the truck driver should be determined.
- The truck’s event data recorder (EDR) should be examined.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
Truck drivers are often asked to work long hours at all times of the day. Fatigue often plays a role in truck accidents. The family of any victim that died due to the negligence of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, truck companies will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any crash – especially if the victim was in a stalled vehicle. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Corona Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Demetrius Powell. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There are so many questions that need to be answered after this crash. Was the truck driver properly licensed? Did they attempt to brake before the crash? Were they following all state and federal regulations for commercial drivers?
Do you need more information about a Corona semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
