A tractor trailer rollover around 5:30pm on Monday night in Freetown, MA-located about 12 miles from Fall River-seriously injured the trailer driver and left the driver of a second vehicle with minor injuries. The truck driver was traveling on Route 24 Southbound near Exit 8 and had been carrying seafood. It apparently tipped over and landed on the dividing guard-rails across the highway median. The driver of the second vehicle, a 2001 Honda accord, thankfully escaped with minor injuries, but his car had to be dug out from the wood with special equipment.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rollover accidents have a higher fatality rate than other types of crashes-accounting for about 33% of all passenger vehicle fatalities.Although convenient, tractor trailers, like the one involved in this accident, may be more prone to rollovers due to their height. Tall vehicles (trucks, buses, vans) have a high center of gravity, lessening their stability, and speeding, sudden turns, and bad weather can lessen their stability ever further. Other causes of rollovers may be driver fatigue, equipment failure, or negligent maintenance of the vehicle.
The cause of the Freetown accident is still unknown. However, there have been no reports of speeding or other foul play.
According to news reports, last November (2011), a rollover also occurred in Freetown on Route 24, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old woman.
State Police say man seriously hurt, another suffered minor injuries in 2-car Route 24 crash, HeraldNews.com, March 5, 2012
2 injured in Rt. 24 rollover crash, WPRI.com, March 6, 2012
Truck driver seriously injured in Freetown crash, myfoxboston.com, March 5, 2012