Deadly crash on I-85 in Cherokee County, Tractor-Trailer Driver Charged

January 5, 2022 – Paul Hammack

The Run-Down:

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the driver of a tractor trailer has been charged with driving too fast for conditions after a deadly crash Tuesday on Interstate 85 in Cherokee County.

The coroner identified the man killed in the crash as James Arthur Fuelling, 64, of Rock Hill. Fuelling died at the scene.

The tractor-trailer rear-ended a Toyota truck that was sitting in stopped traffic, in which Fuelling was a front-seat passenger. In addition, a third and fourth vehicle were also hit, while a fifth vehicle got hit by debris from the wreck, according to troopers.

A Personal Injury Lawyer’s Perspective:

It is sad to report another fatality on I-85 due to the negligence of an 18-wheeler operator. It appears that the wreck was precipitated by another traffic bottleneck near Blacksburg, SC, though the cause of the road stoppage is unclear. While we do not yet know the reason the driver did not stop in time, generally these rear-end collisions are caused by driver distraction, fatigue or simply driving too fast for the traffic conditions. The motor carrier’s improper hiring, retention, training or supervision can also play a role, though it is too early to know. The road and traffic conditions also may have contributed to this crash. The SC MAIT team will investigate the collision, but the fact that the driver has already been charged does indicate that at least the truck driver contributed to causing this collision.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the innocent families impacted by this preventable collision. Hammack Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims of truck and commercial motor vehicle collisions and making our roadways safer for the traveling public. One of our safety missions is to hold negligent truck drivers and their employers responsible for their reckless behavior in the hope that the companies and drivers will make better decisions regarding safety moving forward. To learn more, contact us today.