Tractor-Trailer Driver Facing Charges After Crashing Into 9 Vehicles In Churchill
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A tractor-trailer driver from West Virginia is now facing charges in a crash that injured nine people last year.
According to police, the crash happened at the intersection of Route 22 and Rodi Road in Churchill on Nov. 17, 2017.
A tractor-trailer lost its brakes and slammed into nine other vehicles.
Churchill Police said the truck was coming off the Parkway East and going down the hill off the William Penn Highway exit when his brakes failed.
The driver, 55-year-old Paul Taylor of Randolph, West Virginia, is now facing charges. He was a driver for Hinkle Trucking out of Riverton, West Virginia.
"We do have an arrest warrant for him, we've been in contact with the West Virginia State Police. We've tried to make contact with him, but we've been unsuccessful," said Allegheny County Police Sgt. Ken Ruckel.
Taylor is is described as 5-foot-11-inches tall, weighing 160 pounds and has brown eyes.
Police say the truck hadn't been inspected, and Taylor and his wife later admitted to knowing the brakes were bad for weeks.
"The driver is supposed to do a pre-trip inspection, and he was aware of the violations," said Sgt. Ruckel. "There were several mechanical violations, but primarily, it was with the braking system."
Watch raw drone footage (courtesy: Perspectrum, LLC) --
Twelve people were hurt, two women in their 70s were seriously injured.
Taylor is facing a list of charges, including recklessly endangering another person, causing a catastrophe, reckless driving and aggravated assault by vehicle.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Allegheny County Police at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
As far as Hinkle Trucking, a review of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website shows the company has 103 violations, many involve safety, vehicle inspection and maintenance. Most significantly, out of the 37 vehicle inspections, there are 23 vehicle maintenance violations.
