After receiving a call from a friend who had run out of gas, a 67-year-old man in the St. Louis area drove to a section of road on Interstate 55 to help. The man pulled his vehicle in front of his friend’s, which was parked on the left shoulder of the roadway. The 67-year-old was putting gas in his friend’s car when he was struck by an 18-wheeler that was travelling in the far left lane. The truck driver told police that he hadn’t seen the victim before the collision. Sadly, the 67-year-old man died as a result of his injuries.
This fatal accident has prompted the Missouri State Highway Patrol to provide some tips for drivers whose vehicles become stalled on a busy interstate highway. The tips are meant to help prevent personal injury in what is always a potentially dangerous situation. Readers in St. Louis and Southern Illinois will want to heed the advice of investigators and law enforcement officials who may have some insight into why some kinds of injury occur.
A sergeant with the Missouri State Highway Patrol advised motorists to always yield to the right side of the road when their vehicles are stalled or otherwise have to stop. In the fatal accident that prompted the officer’s advice, both stopped vehicles were parked on the left side of the roadway where there isn’t as much room as on the right side. Parking on the left shoulder of the interstate greatly increases the risk of a person’s being struck by a passing vehicle.
In addition, the officer suggested staying inside a vehicle that is stalled on the interstate. Since the Missouri Highway Patrol has a toll free number for drivers whose vehicles are stalled, motorists can call *55 for assistance.
The tragic accident that prompted the sergeant’s advice is still under investigation, but at the moment, police do not expect to file any charges.
However, not every motor vehicle accident happens under cut and dry circumstances. Individuals who are injured in an accident may want to seek help in analyzing exactly why the injury occurred. Negligence and reckless behavior too often play a role in car accidents that result in personal injury, and in such cases, the injured parties deserve compensation.
Source: ksdk.com, “Missouri Highway Patrol offers tips after Moustafa Elmansy killed on I-55,” Steve Patterson, Feb. 2, 2012