A North Carolina tractor-trailer truck accident claimed 5 lives Sunday night. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Roumen Velkov, has been charged with 4 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault inflicting serious bodily injury.
According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol, traffic in I26 had been stopped due to a prior accident involving a dump truck. Velkov, driving a tractor-trailer truck, never hit his brakes and evidently plowed full speed into 3 stationary vehicle, propelling them into an additional 6 stationary vehicles, much like an accordion. One car was even dragged by the tractor-trailer across the median where it finally came to rest.
Truck accidents can occur for many reasons, including driver fatigue, driver inexperience, and faulty equipment. Similar to passenger vehicles, truck drivers have a duty to maintain a proper lookout on the roadway, and to follow the driving laws. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer truck, call Auger & Auger for your free consultation.