Interstate 64 was recently the site of a deadly accident involving multiple vehicles. The tractor-trailer driver believed responsible for the crash has so far been charged with reckless driving. The Virginia State Police report that additional charges may be filed at the conclusion of the investigation.
Another wreck had slowed the flow of traffic on the interstate, and the tractor-trailer driver failed to notice. The truck slammed into the back of a vehicle, which set off a chain reaction crash that ultimately affected a total of five vehicles — three passenger vehicles and two tractor-trailers. The first vehicle hit ran into a second vehicle. The second vehicle was also hit by the truck, causing it to catch on fire. An SUV was also hit and then it hit another truck and flipped.
The driver of the car that caught fire suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. One of the passengers in the SUV was thrown out of the vehicle during the crash. That individual survived long enough to be transported to a hospital in the area, but later succumbed to injuries. The driver of the first vehicle hit by the truck suffered serious injuries and, at last report, was still hospitalized. One other person suffered minor injuries.
The individual who suffered serious injuries may file a personal injury claim against the tractor-trailer driver and his employer under the legal theory of respondeat superior, which says that an employer may be held liable for the actions of an employee. The families of the two deceased victims may file wrongful death claims against those parties and any other parties deemed responsible for their deaths. If these claims are successful, a Virginia court may award damages that are often seen in these types of tragedies.
Source: nbc29.com, “Two Dead after Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-64”, , Aug. 6, 2014