Deadly Michigan Truck Wreck Makes Drivers Think Twice About Pre-Trip Inspections

JIM McKINLEY

Principal at HNI Michigan

A set of dual tires fell off of a tractor-trailer, bounced over the median, and struck a car in a crash last month in western Michigan. Two people in the car were killed. The May 30 accident is under investigation, and it’s unclear what caused the tires to come off of the truck.

This accident happened right before the annual CVSA International Road Check (June 2-4). The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance reports that, since the group started the yearly checkup blitz, more than 1 million inspections have been conducted, with more than 300 lives saved and over 5,000 injuries avoided.

This accident is a chilling reminder of the huge transportation industry risks drivers manage every day at “the office.” Most drivers we have the pleasure of working with strive to make safe decisions at every turn, but some aspects of the job – from cargo to the weather to other drivers – don’t make the ride easy or safe.