Willis Thompson, Gilbert Franco Died In Chandler Tractor Trailer Truck Accident on Interstate 10 By Chandler Boulevard
CHANDLER, ARIZONA (January 21, 2022) – Five people were killed including Willis Thompson and Gilbert Franco in a Chandler semi-truck accident on Interstate 10.
Maricopa County officials are saying that the accident took place at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday. A semi-truck failed to slow down and hit a landscaping truck containing Willis Thompson and Gilbert Franco.
That truck then hit a car and smashed both vehicles in between another semi-truck. The car burst into flames following the crash.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victims. Willis Thompson and Gilbert Franco were listed among five people who lost their lives.
Investigators are saying that the truck company involved in the collision had 26 crashes in Arizona over the last 2 years. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chandler Truck Accidents
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. When this truck is going down the freeway at 65 mph, it can take the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop. This stopping distance assumes the best of driving conditions. When there is inclement weather outside, it can take a truck much longer to come to a stop. There are many measures that a truck company can take to help prevent collisions.
- Trucks can be equipped with safety features such as forward collision avoidance systems.
- Truck drivers should be well-trained.
- Trucks should be periodically inspected and maintained.
Driving a commercial truck is substantially more difficult than driving a passenger vehicle. Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that are following the lead vehicle too closely. Pursuant to Arizona Vehicle Code 28-730, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent and shall have due regard for the speed of the vehicles on, the traffic on and the condition of the highway.” There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in their own lane.
There is simply no reason that a truck driver should ever rear-end another vehicle. These types of collisions tend to happen when truck drivers are distracted, speeding or following the lead vehicle too closely. The company that a truck driver worked for could be held at fault for a collision. Employers are typically responsible for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were performing their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Work records from the truck driver should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The truck driver’s phone activity should be understood.
When a truck driver is negligent and causes a fatal collision they can be held to account for their actions. The family of any person that is killed in a semi-truck accident can seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Sadly, though, truck companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. 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 Chandler Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Willis Thompson and Gilbert Franco. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. There needs to be a thorough investigation into how any truck company with so many collisions on record was allowed to continue operating.
Do you need more information about a Chandler semi-truck accident? Our team of truck 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 any type of help after a crash we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
