Truck Accidents
Alanna Koons and Twin Daughters Killed in Semi-Truck Crash on I-465
July 14, 2019 — A tragic crash on I-465 involving a young mother and her twin toddlers has proven fatal.
According to Indiana State Police, a semi-truck driven by 57-year-old Bruce Pollard was speeding in a construction zone when he failed to stop in time for vehicles that had slowed in front of him. Unable to avoid the slowing traffic, Mr. Pollard’s truck rear-ended the car driven by 29-year-old Alanna Koons. (Ultimately, the crash involved 5 vehicles in total.)
Initially, Mr. Pollard stated that he was attempting to avoid a car that had caught him on in the construction zone, however, later questioning by ISP officials resulted in the semi-truck driver admitting that he had looked away from the road for a quick instant to reach for his tea before glancing up to see traffic coming to a stop in front of him.
Witnesses claimed that Mr. Pollard was traveling at high rate of speed in the 45 mph work zone. An initial review of the truck’s onboard computer that logs operational data confirmed witness statements. In fact, it showed that the truck had been traveling at 65 mph at the time of impact.
The exact location of the crash was on eastbound I-465 E near the Keystone exit. According to ISP’s crash prediction tool, this area already has a high crash risk. However, being that the area is currently under construction, the risk of crash greatly increases:
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Free Case ReviewSince the initial crash, Mr. Pollard has been held at the Marion County jail on a $100,000 bond, and it is expected that prosecutors will be bringing additional charges given the magnitude of the crash results. (Currently, he has been charged with criminal recklessness and reckless homicide.)
In addition to the tragic loss of life, the accident caused various other injuries to seven additional people. Combined with the fact that the collision happened in a work zone, it would not be surprising to learn that Mr. Pollard will face significant jail time following his trial.
Common semi-truck driver dangers
In addition to the obvious danger represented by a semi-truck’s size and several-ton weight capacity, Boulton Law Group commonly sees a number of liability factors associated with 16-wheeler crashes, including:
Distracted driving – In addition to speeding, distracted driving proved to be a contributing cause in the collision between Mrs. Koons and Mr. Pollard.
And while many people immediately associate mobile phones with distracted driving, it happens in any number of fashions, such as reaching for food and drink, adjusting the radio, using on-board navigation, looking at surroundings, talking with passengers, etc.
There is no limit to the many forms of distracted driving, and it continues to be a leader in the cause of accidents throughout the country.
Speeding – Excessive speed is a significant factor in any collision, but given the force and energy in a crash involving a semi-truck’s massive size, speed can often cause traumatic and/or fatal injuries.
Fatigued driving – Semi-truck drivers are held to strict deadlines with regard to delivering cargo, and while federal policy regulates the number of consecutive hours a driver can operate a rig, these rules are sometimes ignored.
Fatigued drivers are a significant concern on our highways, as drifting trucks and delayed reaction times are a disaster waiting to happen.
Failure to use signals during lane changes – Unexpected lane changes can not only result in contact between a car and the offending big rig, they can also cause a chain reaction in other drivers who swerve or brake hard to avoid the semi-truck.
Driving under the influence – Drivers working in a professional capacity are held to stricter standards via federal regulations, yet a number of semi-truck crash investigations have found that a driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision.
Carrying improper loads – Regulations limit the size, weight and overall type of cargo that can be hauled by a semi-truck, yet improper loads continue to be a cause for accidents on our interstates and highways.
Semi-truck accident questions?
If you or a loved one have been involved in a semi-truck accident, it is critical that you speak to an experienced Indiana accident attorney who understands the complex nature of these cases.
Attorney Matt Boulton has more than 20 years’ experience representing semi-truck accident victims, and he has led numerous investigations into the cause of accidents involving big rigs.
Boulton Law Group offers all semi-truck accident victims and their families a Zero Fee Guarantee, meaning you will never be charged a consultation or investigation fee, and the firm receives nothing for its legal representation until after we win the case.
If you would like to speak to attorney Boulton about your potential semi-truck accident claim, you can contact him direct at 317-350-2680, or write to him by using our confidential contact form.
Author Matt Boulton
