Tennessee State Trooper Brad Wilbanks wants to make sure that a recent tow truck driver’s death was not in vain. He wants Tennessee to be the first state in the country to unify responders on the best practices for avoiding fatal car accidents when responding to an emergency.
Wilbanks made this decision after the death of David Scarborough on Thursday, November 1. Scarborough, of Union City, operated a towing service. He was removing a crashed vehicle from a ditch on Highway 22 in Weakley County when a car hit and killed him. Tennessee police said the driver fell asleep and drifted towards the shoulder, hitting Scarborough from behind.
To prevent these types of accidents, Wilbanks wants all emergency responders to follow the same procedures to avoid critical injuries and death.
“We are going to be on the same sheet of music,” Wilbanks told WPSD Channel 6. “We realize if it’s the fireman, the policeman, the EMTs, less time we spend on that roadway, the less likely we are to be struck by a distracted driver.” He urges all drivers to “slow down” and “move over.”
Charges are currently pending against the driver who crashed into Scarborough. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 1,550 people die every year because drivers fall asleep at the wheel. You can prevent fatal car accidents by pulling over when you feel tired and keeping your eyes open and focused on the road. If you have lost a loved one because someone else made a mistake, call our office at (615) 866-3938 to schedule a free case review.
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” – 1 Timothy 4:13
The Law Office of Stanley A. Davis – Nashville car accident attorney