Generally, drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to their surroundings when driving at any time of the day, or night. The legal duty is intended to protect not only the driver, but anyone else who may be on the road. Drivers owe a duty to passengers, pedestrians and other motorists. Nonetheless, motor vehicle accidents can occur, and each accident may involve a complex array of circumstances.

The Ohio State Patrol says that a driver ran out of gas early Sunday morning while traveling on westbound Interstate 70. The driver, a 31-year-old Hebron, Ohio man and his 15-year-old passenger reportedly got out of the stranded vehicle to push the truck toward the shoulder. Unfortunately, the road mishap turned into a fatal accident tragedy as a school bus struck the stranded truck around 2:00 Sunday morning.

Officials say that no passengers were aboard the charter bus at the time of the accident. The bus driver, a 59-year-old Columbus, Ohio resident, had dropped off students at Denison University and was returning the bus for the night. The driver of the stranded pickup truck was killed in the I-70 accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency crews brought the 15-year-old passenger from the pickup to a Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio with undisclosed personal injuries. Authorities do not believe the teenager suffered any life-threatening injuries. The charter bus driver suffered minor injuries and received treatment at the scene of the wreck.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. The wreck was reported in Etna Township, near Columbus, Ohio. Police do not believe that alcohol played a role in the overnight wreck.

Sources:

• 10 TV, "Hebron Man Killed In Early Morning Crash On Interstate 70," April 14, 2013
• WHIZ News, "Fatal crash involving a school bus and truck," Mackenzie Stasko, April 14, 2013