Identity of Those Killed in Garbage Truck Accident Revealed

 Identity of Those Killed in Garbage Truck Accident Revealed

Identity of Those Killed in Garbage Truck Accident Revealed

I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove wrongful death lawyer. A deadly collision occurred on June 12 involving a car and a garbage truck. In an update, the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office recently identified Dennis Pfister, age 82, and his wife, Patricia, age 75, as those who died. The accident happened when the truck, carrying dead animals, went down an embankment and struck the vehicle. Mrs. Pfister died at the accident scene, and her husband had to be extricated from the vehicle, after which he was taken to Kaiser South with major injuries and died that same day.

I want to offer my heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the couple’s family and friends for their loss in this tragic accident.

What Happened

The couple was driving south in their Toyota Avalon on Wilton Road south of Grant Line Road when the accident occurred at about 1:00 in the afternoon. It was reported that the driver of the truck tried to avoid striking the elderly couple’s vehicle but was unable to do so, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). It was determined that the truck driver was traveling at 55 mph at the time of the collision. Following the crash, Wilton Road was shut down between Grant Line and Green Road while authorities investigated. Neither drugs nor alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Incidence of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents have become more common.  By the year 2030 they are expected to be the fifth most common cause of death nationwide. In most accidents with passenger vehicles, the occupants of the smaller sedans, SUVs, and pickups are the ones who suffer the majority of injuries. Approximately 90 percent of all deaths occur to those in passenger vehicles.

The reason this happens is due to the inability of a large truck to stop and the vehicle’s weight. On average, a truck weighs 40 tons, while most motor vehicles weigh approximately 2.5. The stopping distance is much longer for a big rig or other large trucks such as those used in construction. The distance for a big rig is 525 feet as compared to a smaller vehicle that takes 306 feet to stop. At higher speeds, it takes longer for both to stop. Some truck accidents are caused by faulty brakes.

Fatalities in Truck Accidents

Truck accident fatalities are reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In recent years, more fatalities to occupants of passenger vehicle have been noted. Crashes involving two vehicles account for 61 percent of all accidents. Multiple vehicle truck accidents happen 21 percent of the time. Fifty percent of all truck accidents involve a rollover.

Reasons Truck Accidents Happen

The common reasons for truck accidents:

  • In 27 of all accidents involving trucks, the large vehicles had brake issues.
  • Approximately 19 percent of truckers did not know the route they were traveling very well.
  • Fatigue was involved in 7 percent of truck accidents.
  • Tight schedules accounted for 10 percent of accidents.
  • Aggressive driving by truckers occurred in 5 percent.
  • Less than one percent of truck accidents happened due to illegal or legal drugs.

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Elk Grove

I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove wrongful death lawyer. If you’ve been in an accident with a truck or a family member was killed, you need the assistance of an experienced lawyer. You can reach out to me at (916) 694-0002 for friendly, compassionate and free advice. You can also call (800) 404-5400 if you are outside the area. If it is more convenient for you to connect with me online, please use my contact us page.

I’ve helped many residents of Elk Grove in the past 36 years with obtaining compensation for truck accidents.

If you are in need of an attorney, you will want to learn more about them and their practice. Learn more about me by using the following links where you’ll see reviews by former clients and peers:

You might also be interested in the ways I resolved cases for former clients. Go to my verdicts and settlements page.

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