Truck driver runs over napping worker
August 10, 2010 by Jeff HollandPosted in: Bizarre Accident of the Week, Fatality, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
PDF Pop quiz: Do workers need to check underneath their vehicles before driving away?
A Shelby, NY, farm worker was lying on his back underneath a flatbed truck – apparently taking a late-afternoon nap. This proved to be the absolute worst place he could have caught some Z’s, when his co-worker, Armando Luna-Castillo, hopped into the truck’s cab.
It didn’t occur to him to check underneath the truck for sleeping employees before pulling out, and Luna-Castillo drove the truck away – running over his co-worker.
The coroner pronounced the run-over worker dead at the scene, however identifying him has been difficult, due to his questionable immigration status.
Both the coroner’s office and the sheriff’s department are investigating the incident.
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August 10th, 2010 at 6:33 am
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August 10th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Pre-operation inspections include walking around, and looking under, your vehicle. Did the driver inspect his vehicle and trailer prior to driving away?
August 10th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Really? Do you do a pre-operation inspection every time you start your car? That is ridiculous.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Although I’m sure my drivers are not as thorough as they should be, it is DOT required to perform a pre-trip inspection before operating a commercial motor vehicle. While it may seem ridiculous, it is federally mandated for a reason. Whether you like it or not, commercial drivers are held to higher safety standards.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
If the vehicle in question meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle under state and/or federal regulations I’d say a pre-trip inspection would have been warranted.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:38 am
I think I’d find a safer place to nap than under a vehicle that might run over me.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
The pre-trip inspection only applies to the begining and end of the shift. If the driver had been driving that truck earlier in the day, he would not be required to inspect it again.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
In my industry (mining) every equipment or vehicle operator is required to do a walk around or sound the horn before driving away - every time. This rule exists to prevent accidents like this. On sites where there is a lot of vehicle and foot traffic it is too easy back over or run over someone. Both employees were in the wrong here - one for sleeping on the job and the other for not making sure his vehicle was clear before moving it.
August 13th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Fascinating. Did the insurance cover his death?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I would think the napping person would have heard the truck start up and wake up. Was he passed out from drinking?