Truck hits tractor, killing driver

As the farming season enters its peak, more and more farm vehicles are operating on county and state highways. Some farm vehicles, such as trucks and livestock trailers, can match the high speeds of other vehicles on these roads and not create much of a hazard. Many farm vehicles, such as cultivators and tractors, are designed only for slow speeds, and they create the potential for collisions with faster moving vehicles. A recent truck accident in McDonough County demonstrates how this speed differential can become deadly.

A 64-year old Macomb man was driving a tractor north on the highway when he was struck from behind by a box truck. The driver lost control of the truck, and it ran off the highway into the median, where it stopped. The tractor was heavily damaged, and the force of the impact threw the driver off the tractor. The tractor operator was flown to Peoria, where he died from his injuries at a local hospital. The driver of the truck was not injured.

The truck driver is being charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. The exact cause of the accident, including the speeds of both vehicles, is still under investigation. No mention has been made of the truck driver’s physical condition or whether he may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a similar accident may consider seeking damages from the party whose fault caused the accident. A conference with an experienced personal injury attorney can provide a helpful evaluation of the facts of the case and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.