Riding in Pickup Beds and Trailers (Continued)

On a sunny, clear day a white pickup towing a utility trailer was headed north on a small rural highway. Passengers in the pickup included one in the passenger seat and one riding in the bed of the pickup. The tractor-trailer impacted the pickup's driver's side and ejected the passenger riding in the pickup bed. A diagram of the scene was prepared and the collision was reconstructed using scene evidence and vehicle damage. Had the passenger in the pickup bed been belted inside vehicle he would have survived.

The utility trailer had obscured taillights and may have contributed to the collision. Since utility trailers and boat trailers are generally used infrequently and are subject to the elements many times the turn signals and brake lights need repair or replacement. Please be sure to check any trailer lights prior to travel to reduce the danger to yourself and others on the road.