Icy road likely culprit in fatal chain reaction crash

Three vehicles and a public works truck were involved in a chain reaction fatal car accident in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania recently, and though the authorities are not entirely sure what caused the crash, it seems that the weather may have had a role to play in the wreck. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

The first crash involved two vehicles, and as far as we can tell, the people involved in that crash will be okay. The driver of the public works truck witnessed this crash, and pulled over to try to help. After his vehicle was stopped and the driver was outside of his truck, another vehicle suddenly plowed into the back of the truck. The woman in that vehicle, a 38-year-old, died at the scene.

According to a couple of people in the source article’s video report, the stretch of road where these accidents took place is “notorious” for icy and slick conditions.

This accident is a tragic reminder about bad weather (especially during the winter) and how it plays a role in road safety. When the weather gets bad — may it be heavy rain, ice, snow, wind or a bevy of other factors — drivers need to take it slow and be careful around turns.

This accident seems to be true to its name, but there are many other bad weather accidents where people are seriously hurt (or worse) all because one driver drove at unsafe speeds in bad weather. Even though the weather plays a role in such a wreck, the driver’s negligent and reckless choice to disregard the road conditions also plays a key role. Such irresponsibility can be held liable in civil court.

Source: CBS Pittsburgh, “Public Works Truck, Cars Involved In Fatal Crash,” Jan. 13, 2014