Memphis Truck Accident Attorney Reports Tragic Accident in Murfreesboro

By Thomas Greer | February 7, 2014

On Friday, January 24, 2014, a horrific accident involving a dump truck occurred near the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. The accident happened just before 9AM at the corner of Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Greenland Drive. The victim, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, was on his way to class when he was struck by the dump truck as he was crossing Greenland Drive in his wheelchair. The Murfreesboro Police Fatal Accident Crash Team is still investigating the accident, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting a commercial vehicle inspection of the truck.

The accident victim, twenty eight year old David “Ritt” Chitwood, was severely injured in the crash. He was transported to Middle Tennessee Medical Center, where he later died as a result of his injuries. Chitwood was a junior at Middle Tennessee State University, where he was majoring in mass communication. A car accident in 2006 had caused Chitwood to go into a coma for six months, and left him paralyzed from the waist down. He returned to his studies as soon as he was able, and he was working his way towards a career in music production. Friends, family, and fellow students are deeply saddened by Ritt’s passing, and remember him as optimistic and enthusiastic, even under the worst of circumstances.

This tragic accident has drawn attention to the fact that may people who live, work, and study in the area near the intersection where the accident occurred feel that the intersection is very unsafe. Since the accident is still under investigation, it is unclear whether the intersection itself played any role in causing this tragedy. Many factors can contribute to accidents which occur at intersections, including the designs of the intersections themselves, whether other vehicles, trees, or bushes make it difficult for pedestrians and motorists to see each other, drivers who fail to obey the traffic signs or signals, and drivers turning from the wrong lane.

It is also unclear whether anything about the dump truck itself could have contributed to the fatal accident. Sometimes, large vehicles such as dump trucks have limited visibility in areas directly in front of them, or to either side, which can make it difficult to see pedestrians who may be walking nearby. Children are particularly vulnerable to bring hit by dump trucks, because they are small and drivers have a difficult time seeing them. It is possible that the driver of the dump truck that killed David Chitwood did not take a close enough look at whether there were any pedestrians in the intersection before he drove through it. The improper use of dump trucks is another cause of dump truck accidents. Sometimes, dump trucks carry loads that are heavier than they are designed to bear safely. This can cause accidents because it impacts the driver’s ability to slow down and stop, and it can also cause the truck to roll over. While the recent dump truck accident in Murfreesboro is still under investigation, it is important that drivers and pedestrians understand the dangers associated with dump trucks and other large, commercial vehicles.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a dump truck or other commercial vehicle, you need the experienced and dedicated truck accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC to fight for you while you focus on your recovery.  Each Memphis truck accident attorney at our law firm will work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve.  To schedule a meeting with us, please call our office today, at 901-680-9777.  At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.

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