Families of Bonnaroo Crash Victims Killed By Big Rig Seek Justice

By Thomas Greer | November 14, 2013

A horrific fiery crash involving a large tractor-trailer took the lives of a young Indiana couple on their way to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee this past summer.  Less than an hour from the festival, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a big rig driver caused an eight-vehicle pile-up when he failed to stop amidst congested traffic caused by a prior minor accident.  The accident, which occurred along Interstate 24, happened shortly after midnight.

The tractor-trailer driver at fault struck multiple vehicles, including another tractor-trailer.  Both tractor-trailers overturned and two cars caught fire.  In the first fiery vehicle, two passengers were pulled to safety, but rescuers could not save the two passengers in the second car on fire.  This vehicle exploded, killing Brandon Wilson, a 28-year-old from Lawrensburg, Indiana, and Deja Morris, a 25-year-old from West Harrison, Indiana.  Another five passengers were injured but are expected to make full recoveries.

The driver of the tractor-trailer responsible for the accident was identified as 40-year-old Stacy Colvin. Colvin, who worked for H&O Transport, a company based out of Campbellsville, Kentucky, had a previous misdemeanor citation on his driving history originating out of Alabama.

Colvin was cited with failure to exercise due care and additional charges were pending immediately following the incident.  Months after the accident, however, charges had yet to be filed against Colvin.  The families of Brandon Wilson and Deja Morris were angry and distraught.  They demanded the Rutherford County District Attorney file charges in the case.  They stated that this was not an accident—the deaths of these two individuals were a result of negligence on the part of Colvin.  They urged the charge of manslaughter was warranted. Thanks to their efforts, the case will now go before a grand jury.

Sadly, Brandon Wilson and Deja Morris are among approximately 3,700 individuals who will lose their lives in truck accidents each year.  Due to their immense size and heavy loads, tractor-trailer accidents often lead to tragic results.  About 98% of all semi truck accidents end in at least one fatality.  Though there are many common causes of commercial truck accidents, negligence on the part of the truck driver is often involved.  Whether the cause of the accident is speeding, distracted driving, substance abuse, or simply a failure to exercise due care, the negligent drivers involved in these harrowing trucking accidents can be held accountable.

In addition to pursuing criminal charges against the driver, the families of Brandon Wilson and Deja Morris may have valid wrongful death actions.  In Tennessee, the families of accident victims killed due to the negligence of the other driver can pursue a wrongful death action to obtain compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of companionship and love, mental anguish and suffering, and lost time, among others.  Colvin might not be the only proper party to the suit. When commercial truck drivers are involved in an accident, their trucking company employers can sometimes be held liable.  A knowledgeable trucking accident attorney can advise you as to your potential for recovery from both the driver and the trucking company.

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our Memphis truck accident attorneys have extensive experience representing truck accident victims against both the negligent drivers and their trucking company employers.  We have the knowledge, resources, and skills to thoroughly investigate the facts of each case and gather the required evidence to pursue your claim. The attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC will not rest until your case has been advanced to the fullest.  Call us today at 901-680-9777 for a free case evaluation.

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