Tennessee Trucker Kills Three, Sentenced to Prison

By Staff Writer

A tractor-trailer driver from Newport, TN killed three drivers when his rig slammed into cars stuck in heavy traffic along Interstate 40 in North Carolina.

A judge sentenced 52-year-old Ronald Eugene Graybeal on Tuesday to more than 11 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol says the four vehicles damaged in the June 2011 accident had stopped in traffic, but had begun to move at about 5 mph when the 18-wheeler hit a pickup truck causing a deadly chain reaction.

Troopers say Graybeal was driving 65 miles per hour. Investigators said he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the trucking accident, according to Channel 5 News.

Tragically, one out of every eight U.S. traffic fatalities involves a trucking collision.

Trucking accidents can have catastrophic consequences because of the sheer size and weight of the average commercial truck.

Determining fault involves many complex legal issues, making trucking accidents a specialized area of practice different from auto accidents.

Why are truck accidents so complicated?  Liability can be tricky to prove. The truck’s driver, the driver’s employer, the truck’s manufacturer, and even the manufacturers of truck brakes, tires, and headlights can be involved. Weather conditions, drug or alcohol use, driver fatigue, and time of day can all influence who is to blame for a truck accident.

What to Do If You’ve Experienced a Trucking Accident

Drivers of vehicles that crash into or collide with trucks seldom leave a truck accident without serious injuries. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, collect as much information as possible (eyewitness and other drivers’ names and contact information; the trucking company name and information; cell phone pictures) and contact a Tennessee trucking accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help you determine where to file a claim and what kind of damages to seek.  An experienced attorney can help you get compensation for your injuries and future medical care expenses.

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