Most of the men and women who put themselves in harms way to protect the United States do so with distinction. Surviving combat is about being able to come home to their families and enjoy the freedoms for which they fought. Few of them believe that their lives are just as much at risk on Missouri’s roadways. This could be part of the reason why one decorated veteran who was recently killed in a truck accident did not hesitate to help another motorist.
As the 37-year-old man traveled on Interstate 44 recently, he saw a stranded motorist and stopped to help. As he was changing the flat tire on the vehicle, a tractor-trailer was heading toward him and the vehicles on the side of the road. For some reason, the 18-wheeler struck the veteran’s vehicle, and the impact shoved his vehicle into him.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that the truck went on to strike another car, which then careened into another truck. The good Samaritan was clinging to life when emergency personnel arrived. He was taken to a hospital in the Springfield area where the medical staff worked to save his life. Sadly, his injuries were too severe, and he succumbed to them.
It is not known whether any charges will be filed in connection with this truck accident. However, that does not mean that the victim’s family does not have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the driver of the truck, among others, including the truck driver’s employer. If the evidence establishes that their loved one was killed due to the negligence of the truck driver, an award of damages against one or all of the defendants could be ordered.
Source: fox2now.com, “Decorated Missouri soldier dies helping stranded motorist“, Feb. 20, 2016
