On this Wednesday morning, those of us following the Indiana trucking industry are saddened by the news that on Monday evening and again on Tuesday evening, local men died in crushing incidents involving big rig semi trucks.
This morning, families and friends are grieving their loss. Truckers and their families are also mourning the week’s events.
On Monday, Indiana Man Killed by 3000 lb. log falling off trailer truck
Just this past Monday evening, a trailer truck carrying a cargo of logs reached its destination, and everyone was set to unload the cargo. Then a 3000 pound, 8 foot long log rolled off the load, killing an Indiana man as he was trapped underneath all that weight. Benjamin Will of Haubstadt, only 26 years old, died at the scene.
On Tuesday, Indiana Man Pinned by Big Rig Getting Ready to Unload
Last night, a big rig carrying its cargo reached its Indianapolis destination and the truck driver prepared to unload his delivery. Little did he know, but a Lawrence man – in the wrong place at the wrong time – had been pinned by the semi and killed by the crushing weight of the big rig itself. Randy Wimmer, 55, was taken to a nearby hospital where he tragically died later that night.
Trucking Is Dangerous 24/7 – On the Road and Everywhere Else
Lesson learned: trucking is a dangerous job. Driving those long hauls is dangerous. There are bad road conditions. Sleep deprivation. Crazy drivers. Nasty weather.
However, just because a big rig truck has made it to its destination doesn’t mean that anyone can breathe a sigh of relief. It’s not just the roadway that is high risk.
These big rigs carry heavy cargo. They’re built to do this. However, all that weight in and of itself is a danger. As we’ve been reminded this week, that heavy load can shift and kill. The fully loaded truck can be an instrument of death as it parks to unload.
Trucking is a necessary component to American trade. Truckers and the trucking industry must be respected for their contributions to our daily lives.
However, trucking is also one of the most hazardous work environments in our culture today – and we must remain vigilant that maximum safety conditions are honored and maintained.
Our condolences to all who are suffering from these tragedies this week.
