A double tractor-trailer accident on Arkansas' I-30 has left one trucker dead and a passenger, her husband, seriously injured.
The truck accident happened in the Hot Spring County town of Friendship. In late May, a freightliner travelling westbound on Interstate 30 at 3:45 a.m. tried to pass another freightliner, also on I-30 West.
A freightliner driven by Beverly Shelton, 66, attempted to pass another freightliner that was driving in the outermost lane, also known as the passing lane. When Shelton attempted to pass the freightliner on the vehicle's right, she steered right and struck the rear of the other truck. This sent Shelton's freightliner flying off the road and into a jackknife truck accident, according to the Arkansas Highway Police report.
Shelton was seriously injured in the crash. Her passenger, husband Jeffrey Shelton, 66, of Terre Haute, Indiana, died.
The driver of the other rig, who was not publicly identified by police, was not seriously injured in the accident, according to local media. He was, however, transported to the hospital along with Beverly Shelton.
Arkansas is for truckers
Truck accidents are some of the most violent and tragic crashes a person can experience. Accident types include jackknifes, like the one in Friendship, as well as underrides, T-bones, and rollovers.
Trucking is big business in Arkansas. There are about 1.8 million large trucks registered in the state. The industry is supported, in part, by major companies headquartered here, like Walmart, Tyson Foods, Dillard's and Murphy USA, among others. About 1 in 12 Arkansans in the private sector work in the trucking and transportation industry.
Craighead roads at higher risk for truck accidents
With so many large trucks cruising down the highway on deadline, serious truck accidents are bound to happen. Anywhere from 70-90 people die in collisions with large trucks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Craighead County and Jonesboro experience fatal truck accidents every year on highways and state routes. In the last three years, fatal truck accidents took place on:
- I-555 (Joe N. Martin Expressway)
- SR-18 (East Highland Drive)
- US-49 (East Johnson Avenue)
- SR-463 (Highway 463, East Nettleton Avenue)
- US-63 (Highway 63)
Craighead County has an average fatal truck crash rate compared to other Arkansas counties. In 2019, there were about 4.5 truck accident fatalities per 100,000 residents. The rate has been slowly increasing since 2015. At that time the fatal truck rate was 2.9.
Counties that have the highest fatal truck crash rates are Chicot (29.7), Lawrence (24.4), Monroe (59.7), and St. Francis (28).
When it matters most, get Arkansas' trusted truck accident law firm
No criminal charges have been filed in the I-30 double tractor-trailer accident in May. Most truck accidents don't result in charges from the county prosecutor. For the victims of truck accidents, they must pursue justice by filing an injury claim or a civil lawsuit.
Truck accidents are complex. There are often more people at fault in the accident than just the trucker. This can make it difficult to figure out who is responsible for your injuries and how your medical expenses and other damages will be compensated.
The McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, is focused on truck accidents in the Jonesboro area and the rest of Arkansas. Our lawyers understand the laws regulating the trucking industry. We know who may be responsible in your accident and how to go after them. If you've been injured by a truck or other commercial vehicle the people who may be responsible for your damages include the:
- Trucker
- Trucking company
- Cargo loaders
- Maintenance crews
- Truck owner
- Cargo owner
- Inspectors
- Truck parts manufacturers
Face your future with confidence
The McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, understands what's at stake for you after a truck accident. Our law firm offers free case consultations to truck accident victims and their families. We will listen to the details of your accident and the extent of your losses. Then we can explain, in plain English, your legal options.
We also understand that money is tight after an accident. That is why our truck accident lawyers often fight for injured people on contingency. That means the insurance companies pay our fee — not you. If we don't win, we don't get paid.
Call or email McDaniel Law Firm to get started building a winning claim strategy today.