Brakes blamed in crash; truck driver praised for quick action

TROTWOOD — A 38-year-old Dayton woman was injured in a crash after the brakes on her van failed, but investigators said the crash could have been worse if not for the reaction of a truck driver.

The woman was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital after the accident in which the van struck a tractor-trailer near Ohio 49 and Hoover Avenue, according to Trotwood Police Sgt. Dan Heath. The accident happened around 4:20 a.m. on Friday, June 4.

The woman’s identity was not immediately released, but her injuries were believed to be non-life threatening. Police believe the woman was wearing a seat belt during the accident.

The woman was the only occupant in the van, which was traveling east on Hoover Avenue. She lost control of the vehicle and attempted to turn south onto Ohio 49 to try and avoid hitting the R&L Carriers tractor trailer, but she was not successful. The van struck the front end of the tractor trailer, causing the van to be pushed into a guardrail and to land on its top.

“She stated she lost her brakes,” Heath said.

Police did a brake check of her vehicle and determined that the results of the check were consistent with what the woman said happened.

Heath also praised the truck driver for his ability to control the truck by veering to the left. That move possibly prevented the accident from being worse.

“He did a good job of driving,” Heath said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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