The morning of January 15th, 2020 witnessed a massive pileup on US Highway 20 near the Idaho National Laboratory. The crash involved a 2015 Idaho National Laboratory motor coach bus, a 2018 Ford Explorer, a Volvo Semi pulling a fuel tanker trailer a 2019 Nissan Xterra, a 2018 Toyota Tacoma pickup, and a 2017 Ford F150 pickup.
One Vehicle Stopping Caused a Massive Pileup
All drivers were westbound on US-20 when they entered a low visibility area with blowing snow, wind, and fog. The 2018 Ford Explorer driven by Brenda J. Deans, 64 stopped on the westbound lane blocking the traffic behind her.
The INL motor coach carrying 30 passengers saw her just in time and stopped behind her on the highway. David B. Taylor, 62 driving the Volvo Semi was unable to come to a quick stop and veered off the left. The Semi pulling a fuel tanker trailer hit the bus on the left and came to a rest on the right shoulder.
The bus struck the Explorer sending both vehicles off the right shoulder. The crash caused the tanker trailer to be punctured which caused it to leak approximately 3,000 gallons of fuel onto the road.
INL expressed their greatest concern over the accident and promptly sent their team to the accident site. A cleanup crew along with a Hazmat crew was seen taking stock of the situation.
The Crash Was Followed By a Second One
The second crash occurred when the 2017 Ford F150 pickup driven by Stacey, 45, of Idaho Falls veered to the right to avoid the initial crash. The 2018 Toyota Tacoma pickup following the Ford 150 pickup was unable to stop and hit the rear of the truck.
The Tacoma was sandwiched when a 2019 Nissan Xterra struck the rear and pushed it clean off the right shoulder along with the Ford Explorer. The Tacoma driver, Aaron H. Varnes, 39, was rushed to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
Negligence in Bus Accidents Can Have Severe Consequences
Bus drivers and companies are responsible for the safety of everyone using their services. Your neighborhood bus accident attorney will let you know that drivers need to abide by the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They also need to maintain the highest standard of care to protect people’s lives.
The following construes to negligence related to bus accidents:
It is imperative that a bus accident victim speak to a well-qualified and experienced neighborhood bus accident lawyer before accepting any compensation or filing a claim.