Tractor trailer rear ends car near Joplin
A Missouri tractor trailer crash sent one person to the hospital Tuesday morning in Newton County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on Highway 43 about two miles south of Joplin. Sarinda Dudley, 36, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu southbound and began to slow to make a right turn. As Dudley slowed her car, a 2007 International tractor trailer, driven by Roger Decker, 45, slammed into the back of her car. The Malibu was totaled.
Thankfully, there were no life-threatening injuries. Decker was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. While Dudley's car was totaled, surprisingly, she escaped significant injury.
The initial report on this Missouri truck accident doesn't say why Decker was unable to avoid hitting Dudley's car. Often times in cases like these, the truck driver doesn't see the car in front of him until it's too late, or the car driver can hit the brakes hard and not give the 80,000 pound tractor trailer a chance to stop. Truck drivers must always be aware of other cars on the road and should leave themselves plenty of room between the car ahead and the front of the truck.
After a tractor trailer wreck, there is supposed to be an investigation into the driver's logs and an inspection of the truck to determine if any motor carrier regulations were violated.
