Two tractor trailers collide in Missouri killing one driver
Truck driver Johnathon Willmon, 33, is dead after a Missouri tractor trailer crash near Plattsburg, Missouri.
Willmon was driving his 2002 International truck eastbound on Missouri 116 when the crash occurred, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. A second big rig, driven by Douglas Tomlin, 45, was heading westbound on Missouri 116 and began to slide out of control. Highway Patrol troopers said Tomlin began to slide due to snowy road conditions. Tomlin's truck crossed over into the eastbound lanes where it hit a rail on the Little Platte River bridge and jackknifed in the path of Willmon's truck. Willmon was unable to avoid crashing into the trailer attached to Tomlin's truck.
Willmon was pronounced dead at the scene. Tomlin suffered minor injures, but refused treatment at the crash site.
Often when you hear about a fatal tractor trailer crash, it is between a big rig and a smaller passenger car. This incident shows that the power of these large vehicles can cause tragedy or serious injury even for the truck drivers themselves.
Since there was a fatality, this accident will see much more investigation and an accident reconstruction from state authorities. The trip logs of both drivers will be investigated to see if any motor carrier regulations were violated.
