Citation

No Author(s) Listed. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2009; 19(6): 37-40.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article analyzes the tanker truck accident and subsequent fire that occurred on Interstate 895 southbound, near Elkridge, Maryland, on January 13, 2004. The 2003 Freightliner truck tractor in combination with a 2000 Heil cargo tank semitrailer was traveling southbound on dry pavement on a cloudy day, delivering 8,800 gallons of premium grade gasoline. The truck went onto the shoulder on an overpass (bridge) to Interstate 95, then fell 30 feet over the bridge rail and onto the northbound traffic lanes and median of I-95. An explosion and large fire ensued and four vehicles traveling northbound on I-95 drove into the five. After the fire was extinguished, there were five vehicles at final rest positions within the burned area of I-95: the accident tanker, two additional tractor trailer units, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, and a 1987 Chevrolet pickup truck. Four of the drivers of these five vehicles were killed in the accident; one of the tractor-trailer drivers escaped uninjured from his burning vehicle. The authors of this article explore the details of the driver of the tanker truck that caused the accident, motor carrier information, vehicle information, and highway information. Due to the lack of evidence regarding the accident driver's condition, demeanor, or actions immediately prior to the accident, investigators were unable to determine conclusively the factors that might have caused him to lose control of his vehicle. The article also outlines some of the several highway modifications that were made at the accident location, following this event. These modifications were made in response to findings that contributing to the accident was a narrowed shoulder at the beginning of the overpass and the outdated design of this section of the roadway (including a flared concrete parapet and guardrail transition).