Collision on I-495 Beltway at River Road

Authorities say a truck trailer struck a bridge and a car. There are no fatalities reported as of now. Some lanes are blocked.

[TexJester-noth]

I'm a long haul trucker; in my 40 year career, I've hauled numerous types of trailers, including this type of dump trailer. The only way the trailer could have lifted is if the driver activated the hydraulic system.

To operate, the driver activates the PTO (power take off) system - it's a device attached to the transmission that can divert some of the engine power to drive certain auxiliary devices. Fire trucks, for example, use a PTO to run the water pumps. A dump truck will use one to power the hydraulic pump.

Some form of lever (designs vary depending on manufacturer) is then used to activate and control the lift mechanism to lift the dump bed.

The only way for this driver to have his system activate is for him to have left the PTO engaged and then manipulated the activation lever somehow, either on purpose or through carelessness - either way, the driver screwed up big.

[bobshowup]

As a trucker myself, the first thing you do is DISENGAGE the PTO before driving once your done unloading or what have you so if something with the controls malfunctions the trailer or dump body is NOT able to rise up..

[kevinthomas]

Whoever was in that charger about to have a big upgrade from a RT to a Scat Pack Hellcat on Daemon 170

You can lift the trailer while driving? Is it only useful in harvesting on a farm?

[inezjackson]

Well I drove frameless dump truck about 4 years it just doesn’t activate it’s self it wants go up while truck is in motion drive didn’t let the bed all the way down last load he dump

[edwardantrobusjr]

The initial crash, was very likely the truck drivers fault. But the charger running into the suddenly stopped trailer, that should be shared blame. He was likely tailgating. 😢

[maestrovso]

Professional at work, not. Nowadays anyone with a pulse can get a CDL. Many on the road can't speak a word of English. Most likely passing the tests using a ghost driver.

[Cantsaydog]

Pure neglect see this so many times why isn’t there a safety

[paulmarion]

This wouldn’t have happened if trucks weren’t allowed on the roads on Sundays .