Victim Identified From I-90 Accident
Driver Lost Control After Tire Blowout
Posted: 8:49 am CDT June 11, 2003Updated: 7:05 am CDT June 13, 2003
MADISON, Wis. -- A man driving a dump truck died in an accident on Interstate 90 around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Charles Thompson, 55, died when the truck rolled over in the median, throwing the him out, a couple of miles east of the beltline, News 3 reported.Off-duty nurses who saw the accident gave Thompson CPR until emergency personnel arrived; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene.Thompson worked for Sun Prairie Sand and Gravel and lost control of his truck after a front tire blew.This is the second time in a week a dump truck driver was killed after a tire blow out.Last week, two truckers died in a head-on collision when a dump truck blew a tire near Waukesha.Wednesday's accident caused major traffic delays on both sides of the Interstate. Troopers say they're amazed other vehicles weren't involved.Is It Safe To Drive Next To Semis?Many drivers feel unsafe driving next to a semi. What is the state patrol doing to keep drivers safe?
When a truck pulls into a weigh station, the state patrol looks for safety hazards -- the tires, the brakes, the lights.Troopers say it's really necessary to pay attention to the details."Tire failures aren't that unusual," said Sgt. Gary Bauer, Wisconsin State Patrol. "I've been driving alongside semi units and actually have them blow next to my squad car."It's still not known what caused the tire to go in Wednesday's accident. Troopers say the possibilities are endless."Overinflation, underinflation, the tire exceeding tire weight rating of tire, tire damage maybe the tire hitting an object on the roadway," Bauer said.Troopers know they can't prevent every safety hazard on the road, but when each truck pulls into the weigh station they're looking for problems."The inspection will go over general safety features of the vehicle the lighting devices, the suspension the brake system, steering," Bauer said.Inspectors will also check out the tires, making sure the lug nuts are secure and the tread isn't too worn down.Even the other drivers say they'll look out for each other."If I pass the truck, I'll look their tire over because on the inside, a driver can't see and if they have a flat," said driver Gary Huebner. "I'll holler at them let them know."The state patrol says the inspections have cut down on the number of crashes caused by equipment failure, and for the most part, the truck drivers they see take good care of their equipment."All these things are intended to make highways safer and to make sure vehicles safer," Bauer said.New Law Requires InspectionsA new law also went into effect May 5 requiring all Wisconsin truck drivers traveling within the state to get annual safety inspections for their vehicles.The state patrol will be looking for proof of the inspection each time a trucker is stopped.
Charles Thompson, 55, died when the truck rolled over in the median, throwing the him out, a couple of miles east of the beltline, News 3 reported.Off-duty nurses who saw the accident gave Thompson CPR until emergency personnel arrived; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene.Thompson worked for Sun Prairie Sand and Gravel and lost control of his truck after a front tire blew.This is the second time in a week a dump truck driver was killed after a tire blow out.Last week, two truckers died in a head-on collision when a dump truck blew a tire near Waukesha.Wednesday's accident caused major traffic delays on both sides of the Interstate. Troopers say they're amazed other vehicles weren't involved.Is It Safe To Drive Next To Semis?Many drivers feel unsafe driving next to a semi. What is the state patrol doing to keep drivers safe? | Video |
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