Hit And Run

I was the victim of a hit and run accident today on I-85 Northbound near Duncan SC. I"m ok. I was able to hard brake and do a little maneuvering to avoid a major accident or cause delays. I was in the right lane of a 6 lane divided highway. A semi with a flat bed attempted to pass me on my right using an on ramp and shoulder. HE hit me with his trailer destroying my passenger side mirror and camera pack. also damaged the side radar and steps. I was able to avoid damage to my steer tire and maintain control of my truck. I was able to safely make it to the road side.

The camera system was able to record everything. It got his truck tag number, cab number, DOT numbers, and company name as well as a picture of him digging in his nose. The video was reviewed by my company Safety VP and he was happy with how I handled everything and it was all recorded. They sent to recording to the Highway patrolman who did the accident investigation. The highway patrol was able to track down the company and get them to have their driver call the trooper. Without that video, he would have gotten away with it.

It pays to keep you head on a swivel and use those mirrors, even when you are just chillin' in the right lane.

That's crazy, great job keeping it under control!

What ever few seconds he thought he saved are wasted now. Might lose his job over it as well.

Glad your ok. Grest job on your part.

They drive like idiots through there all the time. Speed limit is 60 or 55 depending on the construction zone or not, but good luck not getting run over. SC has been working it more, but not enough in my opinion. I hate going up through there these days.

Yesterday, the drive shaft fell out of our service truck on 85N in SC. It wasn't fun for our driver. Thankfully nobody was hurt

Dan67,

Glad that you are alright. Your true professionalism guided you through a potential very serious situation. The whole situation being caught by the camera was truly great and I would hope that the so called driver loses his CDL forever and possibly some jail time is in order. His disregard for the safety of anyone but himself is unacceptable. Good luck.

Leaving the scene of an accident.. he will lose his CDL not just his job.

I am curious though.... was it recorded that you were slowing down? Were you able to move change lanes? I ask because some companies may still consider that a preventable if you did not slow earlier or swap lanes.

I know you said you got a hard brake... but had you already been slowing before that? Did the camera show traffic on your left so you couldnt move over?

Glad u r safe. A drunk driver hit and run me my first 5 months. Feel so lucky it wasnt worse. He hit my trailer so a camera wouldn't help. I had witnesses though

Our trucks have side cameras mounted on the mirrors looking at the sides. That camera was able to record his tag before he hit me. The forward cameras where able to get all his information off his tractor side with its wide angle panoramic view. The second I saw him on my right side is when I hard braked. If I had not hard braked when I did I have no doubt he would have hit me with his tractor instead of his trailer. I kept it in my lane and moved it inches to the left but did not leave my lane. I had two lanes to my left full of traffic. I had no room to go left.

I had a visit today with the Safety Department and they invited me to review all the camera footage. They showed everything recorded from al the cameras in the system. The front panoramic, the driver facing, both sides, and trailer rear. I am in the clear and they say I did everything possible to prevent and mitigate the accident. They where also happy with my 4 second gap in front of me.

Great news. I hope SC nails that idiot. This goes to show no matter how careful we are things can still happen.