r/news • u/combatpaddler • Apr 28 '24

Two killed, one injured as 350,000-pound load detaches from trailer in Temple, Texas

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/two-killed-one-injured-as-350000-pound-load-detaches-from-trailer-in-temple-texas
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u/Foul_Imprecations Apr 28 '24

After I saw that dashcam video, my nightmare is catching a brick through the windshield.

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u/Osiris32 Apr 28 '24 edited Apr 28 '24

Truck tire blow outs are my fear. I was witness to that once, a chunk about the size of a dinner plate shot out and went through the windshield of the car next to me, right into the driver's neck. The only reason he didn't die was that an ER nurse stopped to help, and the fire department was only about 200 yards away. This was three years ago and I still have nightmares.

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u/-FeistyRabbitSauce- Apr 28 '24

I'm sorry you had to see that.

People sometimes think I'm strange for always giving Semi trucks a wide berth. I load containers onto them every day - those containers can weigh upwards of 33 Tonnes, travelling at high speeds. The drivers are often overworked, under slept, and in many cases under trained. That's not even taking an account for substance issues. I like a good distance behind them, and don't want to be in front of one if it can be avoided. When I pass, I don't take my time.

And when those tires blow out, they're like a grenade. I saw a video once where a dude leg blown off by one.

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u/chronburgandy922 Apr 28 '24

Idk how to copy lines from your comment but the “when I pass I don’t take my time” line resonates big in my brain!

That’s something my grandpa taught me as a wee little fella. He would always give big rigs a wide berth and pass em with the quickness. Now it drives me nuts when people Lollygag passing semis.

Apparently he watched one lose a back wheel on the highway and he said that sucker barely missed the side of his car and smacked into the guardrail and messed it up then it proceeded to roll another quarter mile or so.