Four buses filled with the football players, cheerleaders, friends and family were heading south from Michigan on their way to Tennessee for a youth football tournament called the “Battle in Rocky Top”. Their route was delayed by a jackknifing accident on I-75 southwest of Detroit.
The accident occurred close to 4 a.m. The semi-truck driver swerved to hit a deer, and the empty cargo jackknifed across the left and center lane. The bus struck the truck. The bus driver, the truck driver and five passengers required medical treatment at hospitals.
Tony Chambers, who directed the medical response teams, said that the bus driver, Kay L. Capman of Detroit, made the right decision by moving the bus out of the road as soon as possible.
“She did an outstanding job,” Chambers said. “If she didn’t get the bus off the road, it could have been a disaster out there.”
Jackknife accidents have potential to cause catastrophic injury and death. They occur when the cargo bed swings around the cab like a jackknife. Fortunately, the truck was carrying no cargo at the time, or this accident could have been much worse. In 2008, 4,229 people died in fatal truck accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
If you lost a loved one or sustained critical injuries in a jackknife accident, we can investigate the accident, determine who is at fault and seek damages on your behalf. Contact us today and we can set up a free consultation to listen to your case and explore your options.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4