West Virginia Teenager Killed After Being Hit by Truck

A teenager was killed Wednesday night after he was struck by a tractor-trailer while crossing Valley Road near Cacapon State Park.

Police say that James Arkenau, 17, was wearing all dark clothing when he was crossing the road. The tractor-trailer driver, Terry Foster was told police he tried to stop before he hit the young man, but was unable to.

Arkenau was hit by the left-front bumper of the truck and was thrown to the west of the roadway. He died on the scene.

Police are still investigating the accident but don’t plan to charge the truck driver at this time.

Accidents involving large trucks can lead to destruction of property, debilitating injuries and often death. Commercial truck drivers have extensive training, but sometimes all the training in the world cannot prevent a tragic accident.

Truck accident attorneys realize that some accidents cannot be avoided, but many others can be prevented. These accidents are caused by a driver’s careless behavior. Healthcare and repair costs can become very costly, and if a driver has been negligent the injured are eligible to compensation.

If a truck accident lawyer can prove that distraction, exhaustion or carelessness has resulted in injury to others, their clients can recover the costs they incur. Very experienced truck accident attorneys have won millions of dollars in settlements for the people injured in accidents caused tractor-trailer and other large commercial vehicle drivers.