California 18-Wheeler Truck Driver Charged With Manslaughter, Assault, Reckless Driving, Driving Under The Influence in Fatal Crash, Seven Dead In Oregon
A 52-year-old California semi-truck driver has been charged with seven counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of third-degree assault, reckless driving, and driving under the influence after he plowed into a van with 11 people traveling inside in Oregon. According to local news reports, on Thursday, May 18, North Highlands, California resident Lincoln Clayton Smith was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 in Oregon in an 18-wheeler truck, or semi-truck, when he veered off the road, entered the shoulder of the highway, and crashed into a Ford Econoline passenger van with a total of 11 people traveling inside of it. The van was pushed into a parked truck from the force of the collision, and was extremely damaged in the process. Seven people from the van were killed and four others were injured. The 18-wheeler truck driver was not injured in the truck accident, and was apprehended by police near the Santiam Rest Area, in Oregon.
Six of the seven people who were tragically killed in the 18-wheeler truck accident died at the scene. The other injured van occupants were taken to the hospital with a variety of injuries. The people traveling in the van are said to have been migrant farmworkers from Mexico who were traveling home from work in the fields when they were killed by Smith’s semi-truck. Smith was ultimately charged with seven counts of second-degree manslaughter, three third-degree assault, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of intoxicants. The 18-wheeler truck accident is still pending investigation.
Justice for 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Victims Under Civil Laws
Although Smith has been criminally charged, many may wonder if there are any other remedies available under the law for those individuals injured or killed by the negligent or reckless conduct of an 18-wheeler truck driver. Fortunately, in many states, in addition to criminal charges that may be filed, injured victims of 18-wheeler truck accidents, and certain family members of deceased victims of 18-wheeler truck accidents may be entitled to compensation under personal injury laws. In Houston, victims of 18-wheeler truck drivers have these rights under Texas personal injury and wrongful death laws. To find out if you are eligible to file a claim to potentially receive compensation in Houston, it is best to contact an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident has occurred.
The Gilde Law Firm is located in Houston and handles truck accident personal injury and wrongful death claims for victims of 18-wheeler truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident in Houston, contact the Gilde Law Firm today to speak to an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer. The Gilde Law Firm offers a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help fight to get you justice. Contact the Gilde Law Firm today and speak to an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer for free.
Source:
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/semi-truck-driver-charged-oregon-crash-killed-7-injured-4-rcna85422
