Jonathon Gwin, of Modesto, Died In Gilroy Semi-Truck Accident By The Intersection of Monterey Road and Travel Park Circle
GILROY, CALIFORNIA (April 1, 2022) – A man from Modesto identified as Jonathon Gwin has died in a semi-truck accident by Monterey Road and Travel Park Circle.
Santa Clara County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Jonathon Gwin was involved in a collision with a semi-truck transporting fuel.
The force of the impact ruptured the fuel tank spilling diesel all over the road. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Jonathon Gwin was extricated from his vehicle and treated for major injuries. Despite life-saving measures, he died following the crash.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Gilroy Semi-Truck Accidents
Operating a truck is substantially more difficult than driving a passenger vehicle. There are a number of general qualifications that a truck driver will need to comply with. In order to get a commercial driver’s license a person will need to be at least 21 years old and able to read and speak English. They must be physically qualified to drive. They must also not be disqualified under § 391.15. To operate a truck safely, a truck driver must also comply with a number of other safety regulations.
- A truck driver cannot operate their rig for more than 11 hours over a 14 hour driving window.
- They must be well rested before the start of their shift.
- They must abstain from alcohol or medications that could potentially impair them.
One of the things that makes trucks particularly dangerous is their blind spots. Many collisions are due to truck drivers that make dangerous lane changes. According to California Vehicle Code 22107, no driver shall turn their vehicle left or right on a roadway unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. Failure to exercise due care prior to a collision could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company that owned a truck could also potentially be liable for a truck accident. Generally speaking, employers are typically liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. A truck company could also be liable for a crash if they were cutting corners around safety. Many companies push drivers to work beyond what may be reasonable or safe to increase delivery speed. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Work records should be examined.
The family of any victim that died in a truck accident may have legal recourse through California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This is California’s wrongful death statute and can help cover many of the expenses that can come with the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. Sadly, truck companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Gilroy Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jonathon Gwin. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough, independent investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much. The vast majority of truck accidents involve some amount of human error and are therefore totally preventable.
Do you need more information about an accident that took place in Gilroy? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims and their families 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 a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
