Multi-Vehicle Accident

A three vehicle collision (2 tractor trailers and a pick-up truck) occurred at 4am on a state highway.  U.S. Forensic was asked to testify as to how the accident occurred.

The investigation and accident reconstruction was performed by Jeremy Hoffpauir, P.E., ACTAR.  The accident involved a 2002 GMC Sierra was traveling southbound on the state highway. A 2006 Mack CHN613 truck-tractor was towing a 2007 Peerless bottom-dump trailer northbound. A 2007 International truck-tractor was towing a 2003 Utility Van trailer southbound. According to the crash report, the GMC crossed the centerline and collided with the Mack. The impact reportedly caused the Mack to cross into the southbound lane where its trailer was struck by the International.

By obtaining the final rest positions of the vehicles, physical evidence, measurements, photographs, and crash data, Mr. Hoffpauir was able to reconstruct the accident. His findings were as follows:

• The GMC crossed the centerline into the northbound lane and collided with the Mack.
• The GMC’s Sensing and Diagnostic Module recorded a speed of approximately 71 miles per hour (mph) one second or less prior to the impact with the Mack.
• The Mack was traveling at or below the posted speed limit (55 miles per hour [“mph”]) at impact with the GMC.
• The Mack moved towards the right side of the northbound lane prior to impact with the GMC.
• The impact with the GMC caused the Mack tractor-trailer to cross into the southbound lane and come to rest on its right side across both lanes of travel.
• The top of the Mack’s trailer was struck by the southbound International tractor in the southbound lane.
• The International was governed at a maximum vehicle speed of 65 miles per hour (mph).
• The imaged data indicated the International was traveling 65 mph between 37 and 2 seconds prior to the collision with the Mack, which was above the posted speed limit of 55 mph.
• The imaged data indicated the brakes were applied approximately 1 second prior to the collision.

For more information about this service, visit our Accident Reconstruction page.