[03-31-2020] Hesperia, CA – Sheriff Deputy Dead After a Tractor-Trailer Crash on Interstate 15

A 22-year-old San Bernandino Sheriff deputy identified as Garett Pontier died after a tractor-trailer accident in Hesperia on March 31. 

According to the initial reports from the California Highway Patrol Victorville Office, the accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. on northbound Interstate 15. The off-duty deputy was driving his silver 2003 Honda Accord northbound on the 15 Freeway when he suddenly drifted lanes for unknown reasons. This inevitably led him to crash into the rear of a tractor-trailer. 

The off-duty deputy’s car was pinned under the tractor-trailer, which trapped him inside. Unfortunately, he died at the scene while his passenger attained significant injuries and had to be airlifted to the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center due to the severity of his injuries. 

Fatal Tractor-Trailer Accident Investigation is Underway

Authorities are currently attempting to determine what caused the deadly tractor-trailer accident to happen through their official investigation. Witnesses at the scene are urged to contact the CHP Victorville Area office at 760-241-1186 for any helpful additional information they can add about the accident. 

According to the California Department of Transportation, the dominant mode of freight transportation in California is big rigs or tractor-trailers. More than 78 percent of the communities in the State of California rely exclusively on tractor-trailers to move their cargo. Further, NHTSA forwards that the number of traffic fatalities that involved a big rig steadily rose from 2013 to 2017. This means that, as the trucking industry continues to grow in California, the number of fatalities caused by big rigs increases as well. 

Tractor-trailer accidents are caused by a variety of factors like loss of control of the truck, a tire blowout, a disabling or non-disabling vehicle failure, excessive speed, lane drifting, improper truck maneuvering, and driver fatigue. 

Tractor-trailer accidents are more deadly compared to other types of road accidents. It’s mainly because of the considerable size difference of big rig trucks in comparison to other vehicles on the road. A fully loaded big rig needs as much as 20 to 40 percent more stopping distance. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the fatality rate of big rig trucks has increased by 30 percent since 2009. There were 4,102 traffic fatalities involving a big rig in 2017 alone. 

When facing cases like this, it’s essential to have an experienced Hesperia personal injury attorney specializing in fatal tractor-trailer accident cases to conduct an independent investigation. Attorneys have the resources that can help prove the negligence of the guilty driver. They can hire expert witnesses, conduct driver background checks, and review applicable insurance coverage for their client. 

Hesperia Personal Injury Attorney for Victims of Fatal Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Dealing with a severe injury after a fatal tractor-trailer accident can be stressful and overwhelming as it has the potential to disrupts all aspects of life, such as family, work, and finances. 

While waiting for the results of the official investigation, the victim is entitled to pursue a personal injury claim with the help of their lawyer. Lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies on behalf of their clients and ensure that they will be compensated fairly. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig accident, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced big rig accident lawyer. The dedicated legal team at Arash Law in California has the experience, knowledge, and commitment to guide your claim toward its most beneficial outcome skillfully. We’re standing by to help – 24 hours a day and seven days a week – so please give us a call us at (888) 488-1391 today. Our offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, Woodland Hills, Orange County. They are more than happy to travel to your home, office, or place of recovery.