Serious Fatal Semi Crash strikes Sign. Joplin Mo 8-27-2024

Updated.

Next of Kin Notified.

Press Release: Fatality Crash 08-27-24
Date: August 27, 2024
Media Contact: Captain William Davis 417-623-3131 x1446

UPDATE:

The driver from this fatality crash has been identified as Jermaine Bingham, age 51 of Bixby, Oklahoma. Next of kin has been notified. Bingham was driving the semi tractor trailer for Saia Motor Freight Line, LLC. The Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team is continuing to investigate this crash. Further details may be released as information becomes available.

On August 27th, 2024, at 6:54 am the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received 911 reports of a rollover crash involving a semi tractor trailer at the 9-mile marker on Interstate 44 westbound at the Range Line Road exit. Officers with the Joplin Police Department, as well as personnel with the Joplin Fire Department, Newton County Ambulance, METS Ambulance, Missouri State Highway Patrol and MoDOT, all responded to the scene. It was determined a semi tractor trailer was westbound on I-44 and left the roadway near the start of the off ramp to Range Line Road and struck an overhead sign support pole. The resulting crash resulted in a cargo spill (non-hazardous) and significant damage to the overhead support sign. The driver of the semi tractor trailer was pronounced deceased on scene. Members of the Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team responded and are actively investigating to determine probable contributing circumstances of the crash and probable cause of death of the driver. The identity of the driver is being withheld pending formal notification of next of kin. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

[texasbella]

He may have fallen asleep. RIP Mr. Bingham. Trucking is a grueling job, mentally and physically exhausting. I can attest to that. I drove teams w my hubby for 6 months and soon after that I went back to my office job. Were it not for truck drivers, there would be no food on our tables, clothes to wear, fuel for our vehicles, and I can go on and on. Please give more credit and respect to our truck drivers. 🙏🙏🙏

[turtlebarnessr]

Rest In Peace driver. Praying for his family and friends.😢

[tommythompson]

Brother in law works at Saia and said he was deceased when he hit the sign. Passed away as a result of a heart attack. Prayers to his family.

[josephvilla]

One of the toughest ways to make a living and definitely underpaid and underappreciated Trucker’s rules Trucker move America in the world❤ rip Brother Trucker👍👍✨✨✨✨🙏❤️🇺🇸 we all roll into the sky sooner or later🙌🙌🙌🙌🌅

[geraldboldenjr.]

My prayers and condolences to the family involved

[curtisstockton]

Noone can ever know except the driver exactly what happened and sadly driver lost his life i just retired after driving almost 40 years and it truly only takes a moment of not paying full attention and disaster can happen. So very sorry for the loss of this driver just pray he made peace with the Lord 😮😢

[georgec]

I drove for a competitor of Saia he was probably a line driver who had been driving since the previous evening, early morning was always the toughest to stay awake, you are always on a tight schedule and expected to arrive into the next terminal at a perscribed time.

[drewwho]

Perhaps the off ramp was backed up, and to avoid hitting vehicles that were exiting, this driver swerved and hit the sign post instead. I'd like to think this driver saved lives. Having driven semi for years, I can only speculate that was one possibility. Distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, or a mechanical issue or a medical emergency are others that come to mind. Regardless, RIP to this driver.

[geraldthompson]

My Goodness, That Is Just Nasty & Just To See How The Interstate Exit Sign Is Bent Is Just Unreal, My Prayers & Thoughts Goes Out To That Driver Family ( Man I Hate To See Stuff Like That ) 🙏🙏

[peterealey]

Driving around anywhere is just a major pain in the ass, obnoxious people and people who don’t understand what they’re doing

[normanott]

Today’s truck drivers have no experience, most new drivers don’t have a clue what it takes to travel. Elogs and the 14 hour clock have caused most of this. Veteran drivers have left the industry due to all the BS regulations leaving only inexperienced drivers.

[ivanjones]

Its always said to see a seen like this .. blessings to the family.

[ThomasMckenzie-moqn]

Nobody really knows how this happened . He could have blown a steer tire . Then hit the pole of sign . Who knows how it happened. Until the investigation is done. Could have had a heart attack you never know.

[elhuddleston]

Around 1981 those hwys weren't there. But a late sister in law (died 2018) an me was on the Range Lane that went through Joplin Missouri an had a major wreck by the Tropical Inn Bar put both of us in the old John's hospital that got destroyed by the F-5 tornado that hit Joplin.

[MichealEllenburg]

I drive for this company and with the camera watching you and the time frame them give you.your score has to stay above 97% yes you have to push it to the limit limit

[roadiez]

Great footage there 4statesNews&Weather
I'm glad you covered some of it.
*Wish you could have gotten some more of the recovery.
But the 5 minutes were very good!

[ronthatus]

I work for Saia as a dockworker and this is one of the reasons I won’t enter into the driver program. As a city driver maybe but not as an over the road driver. RIP to the driver

[milmil]

I looked up his obituary and it said he was a family man with a loving wife and 6 children..kind and giving and a mentor to many..Said his work ethic was admired by everyone who knew him..May he rest in peace and may God comfort those who loved and knew him and leave them with many fond memories of his life and leave them in peace knowing he is with our lord and savior..

[JamieCameron-Mackintosh-zc]

It's interesting that the truck's steer axle is on the grass ahead of the impact point with the sign in terms of direction of travel on the highway. It wouldn't be unusual for the axle to be torn off in that major an impact but it would usually continue in roughly the direction the truck was travelling due to the momentum of the vehicle and not be thrown back in the opposite direction. There would have to be a huge amount of energy applied to that axle to counteract the momentum of the truck and throw it back hundreds of feet from the point of impact, or it wasn't still attached to the truck at the point of impact.

[joymelton-bollen]

Mercy, that much damage??? How fast were they traveling. This is terrible. Prayers for all involved.