Overhead visualization of accident time-motion

A step-by-step depiction of how this accident occurred

1. (1) THE POSITIONS OF THE VEHICLES
IS NOT IN DISPUTE; KEY QUESTIONS

@ Tis is where Mr. Fleming's truck came to a final stop.

(O) This is whore Mt. Thackor's truck came toa tinal stop

The key questions are:

(A) How fast must Mr. Thacker been going if it took approximately
210 feet for him to come to a rest where he did?

(8) Where would this calculation indicate that his perception point
was located, given the darkness and fog?

2 trailers=80"

55mph=80 feet/second
(Virginia State Police)

2. (2) ESTIMATED POINT WHERE MR. THACKER
BECAME AWARE OF MR. FLEMING

«According to the Virginia State Police, at the time of the accident, it
was dark, and the road was wet and enveloped in a fog.

= Under these conditions, at 55mph, according to the Virginia
Commercial Driver's manual, a driver only has 250 feet of visibility.

As 312 feet are required to stop on dry pavement in daylight, this
essentially means that at 55mph, Mr. Thacker was “outrunning” his
‘own ability to stop in a controlled manner, to avoid hitting Mr.
Fleming - or any other obstruction ahead of him.

3. (3) MR. THACKER WOULD HAVE REQUIRED AT
LEAST 120 FEET BEFORE BRAKING, ETC.

According to the Virginia Commercial Driver’s Manual, page 27. It
states that at 55mph on dry pavement durin:
Stopping Distance for a truck is approximately 312”.

=55mph = 80 feet per second.
Perception time = % of a second, or 60 feet.
34 of a second, or 60 feet.

4. (4) MR. THACKER NEARLY CLEARS MR.
FLEMING’S TRUCK, BUT STRIKES HIM

= Judging by the damage to the left front of Mr. Fleming's truck, it is
clear that this is where Mr. Thacker's truck struck it - and more than
likely, this was from a very subtle angle, to lift off the bumper.

«The following is our estimate as to where this impact occurred,
which lifted Mr. Fleming's truck up and deposited it approximately
30 feet down-road.

5. (5) 240’ +/- WAS REQUIRED FOR MR. THACKER
TO COME TO A FULL STOP AFTER IMPACT

«The next frame describes why this fact, combined with previous
facts, clearly indicates that Mr. Thacker must have been traveling at
a significantly higher rate of speed than 55mph

6. (6) THE REALISTIC SCENARIO: MR. THACKER
WAS DRIVING MUCH FASTER THAN 55mph
= As noted earlier, according to the Virginia Commercial Driver's

Manual, page 27. It states that at S5mph, the Total in
istance for a truck is approximately 312”.

= Thus, for Mr. Thacker to have first perceived Mr. Fleming's truck at
250’, and required 240° after striking it to bring his truck to a full
stop, he must have been traveling significantly faster than 55 mph.