A deadly accident involving a tractor-trailer in a construction zone along Route 222 ended the life of one woman and put five other people in the hospital in Pennsylvania.
According to reports, the 53-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer, a resident of Florida, failed to stop for traffic in the construction zone in Lancaster County. He plowed into a car, van and truck. The 57-year-old woman driving the car, a native of Reading, was killed. The driver of the tractor-trailer and four other people, including his son, were hospitalized for their injuries.
The highway was reportedly shut down to all traffic for a full 10 hours while police reviewed the scene and cleared debris. Prosecutors have yet to decide what criminal charges to bring against the tractor-trailer driver, but it’s likely that they will be significant.
Construction zones are a hot spot for accidents of all kinds. Distracted drivers and drivers who simply can’t be bothered to slow down put everyone on the road — even themselves — in danger. When someone fails to exercise the reasonable care they’re expected to use while driving, anybody can end up a victim — other drivers, passengers, even construction workers.
In a situation like this, the prosecutor’s office will eventually determine what the state will ask from the person who caused the accident — but that doesn’t do anything to assist the injured victims or the family members of the deceased with their losses. For that, victims have to turn to civil court through a personal injury claim or a wrongful death action. That’s the only way to obtain the financial compensation it often takes in order for people to move forward with their lives.