Michaela Buckholt, Justin Poole, 10-Year-Old Child Killed In Easton Semi-Truck Accident On Interstate 90 East of Snoqualmie
EASTON, WASHINGTON (March 22, 2023) – Three people identified as Michaela Buckholt, Justin Poole and a child were killed in an Easton UPS truck accident on Interstate 90.
Kittias County officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday. The driver of a UPS truck crossed over the center median and struck a car carrying Michaela Buckholt, Justin Poole and two children.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, Michaela Buckholt, Justin Poole and a 10-year-old child died as a result of their injuries.
One child in the car survived and was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Easton Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and can be incredibly dangerous. According to the IIHS, “Most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. The main problem is the vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.” There are many steps that truck companies should take to prevent truck accidents.
- Truck companies should ensure that their drivers are well trained.
- Truck companies should periodically inspect and maintain their vehicles.
- Truck companies can install safety features on their vehicles such as forward collision avoidance systems.
Fatigue, in particular, is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. Semi-truck drivers are put under an enormous amount of pressure to complete their routes as quickly as possible. This often leads to them becoming dangerously fatigued. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that staying awake for only 18 hours can reduce a person’s ability to drive safe equal to driving with a BAC of 0.05%.
If a semi-truck driver is negligent and crosses into opposing lanes of traffic, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a semi-truck driver may have been delivering packages when they crashed. There are many steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
Many semi-truck accidents are completely preventable. The family of any person that is killed in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. It is important that all evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Investigating An Easton Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Michaela Buckholt, Justin Poole and the child killed in this crash. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person that may have more information about the crash should reach out to the Washington State Police.
Do you need more information about an Easton semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
