Widow of truck driver killed in explosion settles claim for $3.7M

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The widow of a truck driver who died when his truck exploded after he hit a disabled dump truck has confidentially settled a claim against the dump truck’s owner for $3.7 million, her attorney reports.

Wes Kissenger of Harrison White in Spartanburg reports that the victim, whose name was withheld pursuant to a confidentiality agreement, was driving a gas tanker on Interstate 85 near West Pelzer in Anderson County in September 2015 when he slammed into a dump truck that was partially in his travel lane. The tanker exploded, killing him instantly.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol found the tanker driver to be at fault because he rear-ended the dump truck, but Kissenger said that his client contended that the driver of the dump truck had improperly blocked the travel lane after it broke down, and discovery revealed that he’d failed to use reflective triangles to warn other drivers that the truck was stopped and that the dump truck’s owner kept the truck on the road despite knowing that it had serious engine trouble. Kissenger said the dump truck’s driver admitted to the failure to properly position the truck and surround it with reflective lights.

The victim was 40 years old. He and his wife had four children.

Karl Folkens of Florence mediated the settlement, which was agreed to on Aug. 13.

Due to the confidentiality agreement, other details about the settlement, including the name of the defendant company and its attorney, were not available. 

Follow Bill Cresnezo on Twitter @bcresenzosclw

SETTLEMENT REPORT — WRONGFUL DEATH

Amount: $3.7 million

Injuries alleged: Death

Case name: Confidential

Court: Withheld

Mediator: Karl Folkens of Florence

Date of settlement: Aug. 13

Attorney for plaintiff: Wes Kissenger of Harrison White in Spartanburg

Attorneys for defendant: Withheld