Teen Truck Driver Dies in Single Vehicle Semi-Truck Rollover—Kentucky

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

On December 7, 2023, a 19-year-old commercial truck driver (victim) was traveling on a rural Kentucky highway when the vehicle she was operating left the roadway and overturned. The victim succumbed to the injuries she sustained in the crash.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

• Overcorrection
• Lack of formal safety program
• Limited driver experience
• Lane width

RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:

• Require all drivers to complete a defensive driving course,
• Implement formal health and safety programs.

Kentucky investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, Kentucky should:

• Adopt the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program.
• Increase lane widths on highways with substantial truck volumes and/or that are frequently used by agricultural equipment.

Teen Truck Driver Dies in Single Vehicle Semi-Truck Rollover—Kentucky [PDF – 1 MB]