On Monday, August 21, 2017, the Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program was informed by the Kentucky Labor Cabinet of a fatality involving a dump truck driver. A site visit and investigation were subsequently conducted. On Monday afternoon at approximately 2:45 pm, a dump truck driver crossed into Kentucky from Ohio to pick up a load of #55 limestone gravel and deliver it to his assigned destination; this type of rock is very popular for use on driveways and walkways. The company stated the victim had driven this winding road many times over his 15-year tenure. As he traveled north, he approached a left angle curve. Tire marks suggested the truck gradually drifted to the right, went off the road and into a small ditch area. The driver attempted to drive out of the ditch 224.10 feet from the final resting spot of the truck. The deputy sheriff stated the truck driver was traveling over the recommended speed limit of 35 mph. While the speed limit along the state road was posted at 55 mph, the curve was posted at 35 mph with an advisory speed sign prior to the curve. As the victim entered the curve, neighbors who lived in the vicinity stated they heard the driver trying to apply the truck's compression release engine brake - commonly referred to as a Jake brake - in an attempt to slow the truck. The deputy stated the Jake brake failed to slow the truck to a safe speed, causing the loaded truck's center of gravity to shift toward the passenger side, and the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck left the roadway on the passenger side and flipped onto its right side into the culvert eight feet below the highway. As the truck flipped, the fuel tank struck a piece of rebar that was protruding from the concrete retaining wall leading to a water drainage tunnel under the highway. The fuel tank ruptured, causing a small fire in the engine that rapidly began to spread as fuel leaked from the tank. Two neighbors, a husband and wife who heard the crash and saw the smoke from their residence, ran to assist the driver. When they arrived and noticed the fire, the husband desperately tried to pull the unconscious driver out of the burning truck through the front windshield that had become dislodged, while his wife called for emergency assistance and the fire department. The couple stated the driver was thrown and trapped along the passenger side of the truck where the flames were hottest, making it impossible to pull his unconscious body from the burning truck. When the flames became too dangerous, the neighbors retreated to safety. Within four minutes, the cab became engulfed in flames. The local fire department arrived at the scene within five minutes of receiving the call and put out the flames. The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner.


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    Titel :

    Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Kentucky: Dump Truck Driver Loses Control and Flips Truck Resulting in Fire, FACE-17-KY-034


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2018


    Format / Umfang :

    11 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch