Semi driver dead after fiery crash on I-5 in Tumwater

passion4fun said on December 10, 2011 at 6:51 PM

I work at the Pilot truck stop on 93rd, I have been there for 3 years and have befriended many truck drivers, I was there the day this accident happened, it saddend my heart to hear about it. For whatever reason it happened truck drivers are still tops in my book. My prayers go out to the family, may you rest in peace.

puddlebubbles said on December 9, 2011 at 3:28 PM

Dear myboys11, I know what you are talking about. It is a crime and should stop going unpunished. I feel for you and everyother driver, of anykind, that is run illegally raged by a boss or company.

puddlebubbles said on December 9, 2011 at 3:08 PM

There should be a law that says: "Anyone ever involved an automoblie accident should, if physically able, be trained, certified, and made to drive the other vehical type, for a minimum of six months."

puddlebubbles said on December 9, 2011 at 3:03 PM

My family has been in the trucking industry since before I was born. I have to say . . .Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of bad Truck Drivers in my time. However I've seen even more bad car drivers. Here is the problem. People do not get the fact that a Truck doesn't handle like a car and that is pure ignorance. I've seen cars hover beside and too close behind a truck, for miles, in the Truckers blind spot. This causes most of the Truck/Car accidents. Add in the other factors such as texting, talking, smoking, eating, drinking, even drugs, and not enough sleep. Both parties are guilty, I know for a fact. If people don't pay attention, somebody will always get hurt. Side note: I hope the company doesn't get sued. Unfortunately,only one side of the story will ever be heard.

myboys11 said on December 9, 2011 at 2:48 PM

Coming from a large family of truck drivers and have driven truck myself previously, it is very safe to say that with the economy the way it is these drivers are pushed to their limit everyday, which is why they fall asleep and run into people or run off the road. I actually worked for a company that would tell their drivers to just hurry up and if you get a ticket bring it in and we will pay it, well heck its not that companies drivers license that is getting dinged its the driver that is risking losing their licence. Unfortunately it is probably safe to say this fella was being pushed too far and paid the ultimate price. My prayers go out to his friends and family and to the family that barely escaped what could of been a huge tragedy. To the companies that are doing this unjust to these drivers that just want to go home to their families at night, shame on you, especially the ones that claim they are christians, you know who you are.

Mif62 said on December 9, 2011 at 2:29 PM

@shibas1. There are exceptions to every profession. Just because there are some bad truck drivers, it should not take away from all truck drivers. Michael Jackson's doctor and others like him are bad doctors but that doesn't mean all doctors are bad, does it? People need to respect the semis on the road, and especially if they are the bad ones.

shibas1 said on December 9, 2011 at 11:18 AM

I am sure the people here who say truck drivers are great are in fact family member or truck drivers themselves. Truck drivers USED to be good drivers, but come on folks how many do they have to kill before the State takes action and checks the uppers these guys take to stay awake and even those fall asleep way to often. They are killing people faster then you can imagine in the US any more. please don't say he ran in to the back of the SUV was their fault! The truck drive who drove into the people on I-90 last month killing them. It was his fault period. The truck driver who drove into the river Wed? his fault. we have truck drivers now who can't even read English. yet they are driving our roads at 70 miles a hour ( not the 60 they are supposed to) I see truck weaving in and out of lanes all the time now. I for one do NOT think truck drivers are safe drivers any more.

speedy4687654013 said on December 8, 2011 at 8:31 PM

just counting everyones blessings It could've been Alot worse with very serious injuries or even multiple deaths.........

mypets2 said on December 8, 2011 at 8:17 PM

I have spoken to many people who were long haul truckers over the years while working in another profession. I've always found them to be excellent drivers who are very aware of drivers around them. I always allow trucks plenty of room, and also do so driving around them. These drivers are unable to control laws of physics any better than anyone driving an average sized vehicle. I've always been thankful that they are as capable as they are. As with any profession, they are unable to cotrol those around them. Please give them room and be courteous drivers. It can make everybody's day a bit better.

clear2copy said on December 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM

that's quite an assumption..

sabigirl46 said on December 8, 2011 at 4:35 PM

@Mif62 Thank you so much for letting people know how hard semi truck drivers work...indirectly they risk their lives everyday. Other drivers on the road need respect the fact that the semi driver is a professional driver and that he/she is operating a vehicle that cannot be stopped easily and is a thousand times bigger than a normal car. Drivers NEED TO AND HAVE to be cautious when driving around a semi-truck. Because if a small car driver does do foul play it is impossible prevent an accident from happening. I can say this because I have a semi-trucker driver in my family and I am sure this professional driver was doing his job correctly and due to somebody else's carelessness he lost his life.

Mif62 said on December 8, 2011 at 2:14 PM

@big Don. Why, even if that's what you assumed, would you say such an insulting thing when a man is dead and there's a good chance that a professional driver wouldn't be texting while driving. I notice a lot of drivers cut in front of semis, not realizing that those big trucks can't stop very quickly and since the other vehicle had minor injuries there is a good chance the semi driver veered off the road to keep from obliterating them.

big_don said on December 8, 2011 at 12:20 PM

Texting while "driving"...??