Unfortunately, accidents between big commercial trucks (big rigs, semis, tractor-trailers, 18 wheelers) usually means fatalities will be involved in the crash. The simple matter of weight and speed differences mean that these huge vehicles are monsterously damaging to most other vehicles on the road: sedans, minivans, pickups, motorcycles, and the like.
Still, accidents are accidents and truck drivers are human beings: some truck wrecks are tragedies, but they aren’t criminal actions. Until they are.
Here are some recent examples from across the country where a commercial truck driver involved in a crash or accident has been arrested by the local law enforcement authorities on homicide charges because someone died in the wreck of the big rig / semi / 18 wheeler / tractor-trailer and the other motor vehicle on the road:
Pennsylvania Dump Truck Driver charged with homicide and other felony charges after truck crash with 2011 Ford passenger car.
Illinois Tractor Trailer Truck Driver charged with homicide in Kentucky crash involving Amish buggy.
Wisconsin Semi Truck Driver charged with vehicular homicide in Ohio crash involving pick up truck.
It’s not always the truck driver that gets charged with homicide in this big rig crashes, though. Consider last month’s crash in Austin, Texas: here, the driver who ran a red light and slammed into the semi truck is facing homicide charges.
