The northbound lanes of Interstate 55 were closed to traffic for over eight hours on July 30 after two tractor-trailers collided in St. John Parish. The truck accident took place near milepost 13.6 in the vicinity of Ruddock at approximately 1 a.m. The highway was reopened to northbound vehicles at approximately 9 a.m.
According to a Louisiana State Police report, the accident occurred when a semi tractor-trailer struck a car hauler that had been attempting to reenter the northbound lanes of Interstate 55. Police say that the operator of the car hauler had pulled over onto the highway’s right shoulder to secure his load. Emergency response personnel arriving at the accident scene discovered that two of the vehicles on the car hauler had become dislodged and caught fire. First responders also noticed that the semi-tractor trailer had overturned after striking a railing on an elevated roadway bridge.
While the driver of the car hauler escaped the accident unhurt, the driver of the tractor-trailer was transported to an area medical facility with what were described as minor injuries. The roadway remained closed to northbound traffic through the night as rescue workers, accident investigators and as many as 10 tow-truck crews went about their duties.
The drivers of large and heavy commercial vehicles are expected to remain alert and vigilant at all times. When this duty of care is not met, the resulting truck accidents can cause injuries as well as significant property damage. Those who suffer an injury in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company may seek civil remedies. This kind of legal action could be brought against truck drivers who cause accidents while impaired, distracted or fatigued. Logistics companies could face litigation when poor maintenance or inadequate driver training lead to a crash.
Source: The New OrleansTimes-Picayune, “I-55 northbound reopens near Ruddock after 8-hour closure,” Carlie Kollath Wells, July 30, 2015
