JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you’ve driven around Northeast Florida, you’ve likely seen logging trucks loaded high with tree logs. Wednesday, one of those trucks caused a traffic nightmare on I-295 near Normandy Boulevard.
Attorney Curry Pajcic, who recently secured a $141 million settlement for victims of a similar crash, shared insights with News4JAX about this troubling incident.
What Happened on I-295?
Dashcam footage shows a logging truck losing its load while heading northbound. The driver lost control of the 80,000-pound semi, leaving the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) investigating a possible mechanical failure. Attorney Pajcic believes this incident reflects a larger issue in the logging truck industry.
“In the trucking industry, log trucks are often operated by companies and drivers cutting corners,” Pajcic explained. “They do everything possible to bypass weigh stations.”
An Industry-Wide Problem
Pajcic highlights a nationwide concern: 600,000 motor carriers operate across the U.S., but only 2,000 inspectors enforce the rules. He argues that logging truck drivers are often paid by the load, creating an incentive to prioritize speed over safety.
“The more loads they deliver, the more money they make. This system encourages fast, unsafe driving,” he said.
Florida’s Logging Truck Hotspots
Research by the University of Florida reveals the forestry industry brings $25 billion annually to the state’s economy, with Nassau County being a top contributor. However, it also leads Florida in logging truck crashes, followed by Bay, Duval, Putnam, and Escambia counties.
Are Safety Checks Being Skipped?
Pajcic stresses the importance of pre-trip inspections and regular maintenance for logging trucks, suggesting these protocols may have been overlooked before the I-295 crash.
“If someone had been in the truck’s path—a child, a parent, a grandparent—they could have been killed,” Pajcic said. “We need better enforcement and more resources for law enforcement.”
What’s Next?
News4JAX has requested the accident report from FHP to uncover more details about the crash and potential causes. Stay tuned for updates