An 18-wheeler plunged off Interstate 49 which blocked a portion of the interstate to traffic. A 2003 Freightliner driving southbound on Interstate 49 near the Cheneyville, Louisiana exit ran off the interstate, damaging the guardrail. The tractor/trailer rig flip over and caught fire. The cab of the 18-wheeler was almost completely incinerated by the fire.
The semi was driven by Joe Anderson, 26, of Ennis, Texas. Anderson was charged with careless operation of a vehicle. The semi was hauling 42,000 pounds of adhesive. The flipping of an 18 wheeler is usually the result of the negligence in the handling of the truck and the trailer by the driver, operating at an excessive, dangerous, and unreasonable speed under the circumstances and in failing to reduce his speed in obedience to the warning signs posted. Also fatigue of the truck driver from exceeding legal hours of service can result in this type of collision.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
