The driver of a semi-truck that was involved in a crash in Boulder last summer has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the accident. The guilty plea was in response to a count of operating an unsafe or defective vehicle. An additional charge of careless driving was dismissed by the court. The vehicle operator was ordered to pay a $100 fine, and he will also be expected to pay restitution. The amount of the restitution payment has not yet been determined, and the court has told prosecutors that they have until June to come up with an amount.
On Aug. 22, 2014, the man was headed north on the Foothills Parkway, around 5:39 p.m., driving a semi-truck carrying a load of sand. He lost control of his vehicle while attempting to turn onto Baseline Road, veering into the other lanes and flipping the truck on its side. Two vehicles, a Subaru sedan and a Toyota SUV, were covered in sand. Three other vehicles that were following those two also crashed while trying to avoid the accident. Colorado State Patrol said the incident happened because a brake pad on the semi was so worn down that it couldn’t make contact.
Motor vehicles accidents involving large trucks can be catastrophic. Vehicle operators are expected to maintain key safety systems in rigs, such as the brakes.
An attorney may be able to help a plaintiff review the criminal case and identify where negligence may have occurred. In addition to attempting to recover the cost of property damaged in the wreck, any settlement sought by a plaintiff should attempt to address potential long-term medical issues and emotional traumas arising from a crash.
Source: KOAA, “Man who crashed truck, burying cars in sand pleads guilty,” April 27, 2015