Fatal Illinois truck accident part II: Trucking co. safety record

Earlier this week, we began a discussion about the fatal truck crash that occurred last week on Interstate 88 near Aurora. The driver who caused the truck accident was apparently suffering from fatigue and had allegedly been working for approximately 36 hours with less than four hours of sleep.

News agencies have also been investigating the trucking company where the man works and have found that its safety record is poor. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records show that the Naperville-based company, which employs 42 drivers and has more than 40 trucks, has among the lowest safety ratings in the country.

In the last two years, the company’s drivers have accumulated over 100 violations. These include allegations that drivers falsified hours and have been cited for driving too long. During this same two-year period, drivers for the company have been involved in six truck accidents. News sources cite government records showing that approximately 91 percent of trucking companies in the U.S. have a better safety record than this one.

After a fatal truck accident like this one, a subsequent investigation often reveals details that should have been red flags. Hindsight may be “20-20,” as they say, but the knowledge gained from hindsight is gathered too late and at too high a price. This crash likely could have been avoided with a little foresight and more stringent regulation.

The allegedly fatigued truck driver who caused the crash is facing four felony charges. The trucking company’s future is unknown at this point. However, it is possible that both the company and the driver could be named as defendants in civil lawsuits related to the crash.

Source: NBC Chicago, “Truck Company Involved In Fatal I-88 Crash Has Spotty Record,” Phil Rogers, Jan. 29, 2014