Nasty Dump Truck Accident in Dutchess ‘Could Have Been Prevented’
New York State Police have shared shocking images of a serious dump truck accident in Dutchess County and say it could have been avoided.
A serious dump truck accident in Dutchess County left a massive vehicle lying on its side after it became tangled in overhead communication lines. Photos of the wreck show the massive vehicle flipped on its side with shredded power lines fallen beside it.
Members of the State Police Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit responded to the unusual crash in the Town of LaGrange after a dump truck was driven out of a yard with its bed still raised.
Dump Truck Catches Overhead Lines in LaGrange
According to investigators, the truck's raised cab guard caught overhead communication lines as the driver was leaving the property.
The lines were strong enough to actually lift the truck's front axle off the ground. The dump truck eventually rolled onto its passenger side. Despite the size of the vehicle and the severity of the crash, State Police say the driver was not injured.
Police say the accident serves as a reminder of why dump trucks are required to have technology designed specifically to prevent incidents like this.
Warning Light Required in New York Dump Trucks
Under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, applicable trucks with tilting or lifting beds are required to have a warning light inside the cab. That light activates whenever the truck's bed is elevated, alerting the driver that it has not been completely lowered.
State Police did not say whether the warning light on the truck involved in the LaGrange accident was working or whether the driver simply failed to notice it. However, investigators used the crash as an opportunity to remind commercial drivers to pay close attention to those warning systems.
Before moving a dump truck, operators should visually confirm that the dump body has been completely lowered. In this case, it's very possible that a simple check could have prevented a very expensive and potentially fatal accident.
