A Kansas City, Missouri, community is in mourning after losing a 13-year-old boy in an accident involving a tractor trailer. The accident occurred on Saturday morning when the vehicle the boy was riding in was hit by a U.S. Post Service tractor-trailer.
The vehicle was driven by the 13-year-old’s stepfather and football coach. They and three other boys were on their way to a football game at Ruskin High School when they were hit at an intersection controlled by a four-way stop. It appears the driver of the tractor-trailer did not stop.
A 10-year-old boy who was in the vehicle said that they all saw the tractor-trailer and assumed that it was going to stop, but suddenly it hit them and “everything went black.” The boy suffered a serious gash on his forehead in the crash. The stepfather and two other boys suffered minor injuries.
Friends and family of the 13-year-old held a candlelight vigil on Monday night to honor the youngster, whose life was claimed far too soon. The 10-year-old, who was the victim’s best friend, said that the 13-year-old wanted to be a professional football player.
Accidents involving tractor-trailers are often fatal, abruptly crushing the hopes and dreams of the victims involved. Because of the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks, they are capable of deadly destruction when operated negligently.
Although we can’t be sure if driver negligence caused this tragic accident, it is a likely possibility. Following an investigation, it is possible that the family of the 13-year-old and the other victims involved may decide to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and his employer.
Source: Fox 4 KC, “KC boy recounts crash with postal truck that killed his 13-year-old best friend,” Michelle Pekarsky, Robert Townsend And Sean Mcdowell, Oct. 7, 2014