Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash on Pennsylvania Turnpike
On Sunday January 5th, a multiple vehicle collision on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County, claimed the lives of 5 people and injured approximately 50 others. The Pennsylvania State Police are still investigating the collision, but it appears at this point in time that the operator of a bus owned by Z & D Tours in Rockway, NJ was rounding a downhill curve in Mt. Pleasant Township when the bus failed to fully negotiate the turn and hit an embankment, causing it to flip onto its side. Two tractor trailers hit the overturned bus and a 3rd tractor-trailer crashed into the pileup. Turnpike representatives have indicated that the roads were wet but not icy or slippery. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, driving too fast for roadway conditions may be the leading cause of the initial crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the collision, but this investigation may take weeks or months before the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines the cause of the collision.
Assisting Those Injured in the Crash
People were treated at various local hospitals including Excela Frick Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, UPMC Children’s Hospital, UPMC Somerset Hospital and Forbes Hospital. The American Red Cross is assisting victims and relatives of those injured in the crash. You can contact the Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS if you need assistance. Additionally, Excela Health Frick Hospital has set up a case management hotline. The phone number is 724-237-6027 for family members only.
Contact Matzus Law to Discuss Your Bus or Truck Accident in Pittsburgh Today
There are various “rules of the road” that apply to the safe operation of buses and tractor trailers, as well as other motor vehicles. Driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions is a frequent cause of collisions, especially at this time of year. Additionally, the Federal Motor Vehicle Carrier Safety Regulations has certain rules that govern the operation of buses and tractor trailers during inclement weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow or ice. If you were injured or a family member was killed in this collision, you should contact an experienced tractor-trailer or trucking litigation attorney. At Matzus Law, we have successfully handled cases involving tractor-trailer and bus collisions and we would be happy to speak to you to see if we can help you understand and protect your legal rights.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.