Photo Courtesy of WFAA News
One person is dead after being rear ended by a utility truck on southbound I-35 and being engulfed by the resulting fire.
Officials are still investigating, but according to MyFox DFW, a utility vehicle rear ended a pickup truck travelling southbound on I-35W near the exit to West Risinger Road. The pickup was crushed between the commercial truck and a UPS vehicle. The driver was trapped and could not escape the ensuing fire. The other two drivers made it out unscathed.
WFAA news reports that three people suffered minor injuries and declined ambulance transportation to the hospital.
There are many possible ways a rear end collision can occur. On highways, it’s often because a driver may not see that traffic has slowed in front of him or her. This is especially true in situations where a highway rises and falls in hill format. A driver ascending an incline at 60 mph who can’t see that traffic has stopped on the other side of the hill is at risk to rear end someone.
After looking at the accident location through the lens of Google Maps’ Street View feature, I don’t think that’s the case here. The stretch of southbound I-35W near Risinger Road is exceptionally flat. Other factors, such as utility driver inattention or the pickup driver making a sudden stop (neither of which have been determined yet) are more likely causes for this tragedy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased’s family. Drive safely, Dallas.
