A Luther, Oklahoma man was killed in a crash with a semi tractor trailer on March 25, 2016 just before 3:00 p.m. on the Turner Turnpike (I-44) in Oklahoma City. The 25-year-0ld man was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-truck sped from the shoulder directly into the outside lane of traffic, and the 2011 Mazda 6 crashed into the back of the semi and wedged under the truck.
A 25-year-old man was driving the Mazda eastbound on the freeway just before 3:00 p.m. and tragically died in the crash. He was pinned under the truck for hours, according to investigators. The tractor trailer driver, 26-year-old Byron Harkley, and his passenger were not injured in the accident.
Semi Trucks Take a Long Time to Accelerate
The weight and length of semi trucks mean that they take a long time to accelerate to highway speeds. The speed limit on the Turner Turnpike, which stretches from Tulsa to Oklahoma City, is currently 75 mph. Acceleration times for different types of semi trucks vary depending on the length of their trailers and the weight of their cargo, but to get to 60 mph may take these large rigs one or two miles. At the same time, it can take up to 433 feet for a passenger car to stop when traveling at 75 mph, or almost 1-½ football fields.
Thousands of these types of rear end accidents occur every year between semi trucks and passenger cars, and when they do, it is important to contact an accident lawyer who can determine if it was the truck driver’s fault. If so, you may have a lawsuit against the driver and truck company.
The accident is currently under investigation by the Oklahoma state patrol.