The driver of a tractor-trailer involved in an accident that killed a 16-year-old Virginia girl pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving.

Because the plea was not part of a plea agreement, Kenneth Barbour, the driver, faces up to 10 years for manslaughter and up to 12 months in jail for reckless driving.

Barbour didn’t slow down for a red light, and plowed into the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier that Aichs was driving. The car’s driver door was crushed inward 26 inches, and the car was pushed 40 yards by the collision. A doctor who witnessed the accident told police that the girl did not die immediately, but he was unable to help her after the crash.

Barbour claims to have slept the night before, did not fall asleep at the wheel, and did not have alcohol in his system at the time of the accident.

Witnesses said he was driving about 50 mph before the accident occurred.

The driver of an 18-wheeler filled with auto parts lost consciousness and crashed into a Temple, Texas hotel.

The truck was traveling at approximately 65 mph wen it left Interstate Highway 35 and careened across a street, a ravine, two parking lots, and into a hotel.  Miraculously, there were no life-threatening injuries to people.

Temple first responders were called to what was reported as an explosion and fire are the Residence Inn Marriot. No fire or explosion existed, but an 18-wheeler had crashed into the building. The crash severely damaged rooms on the first and second floors where the truck went as much as 30-feet deep into those rooms.

The truck’s driver, Gustavo Rodriguez, was freed from the truck and taken to Scott & White Hospital. He remained there for through the evening for injuries to the upper body, head, and legs. One female guest was taken to Scott & White with lacerations to her legs after being near a room struck by the truck. Two other guests staying in a damaged room were eating breakfast when the crash happened. Another guest in a second-floor room was not in the room during the crash.

Driver inattention is one of the primary causes of 18-wheeler truck accidents.

In addition to facing manslaughter charges as a result of a fatal wreck, an Oregon woman is also being sued by the wife of the man who died.

Terressa D. Breidel, 41, of Pistol River, Ore., was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs causing injury or death, and possession of a controlled substance after the collision last Oct. 24.

In addition to driving under the influence of drugs, the woman may have been sending a text message on her cell phone when she drove her Ford Explorer into the back of a line of stopped cars.

Ronald L. Rudisill was killed in the four-vehicle pileup, and his wife is filing a wrongful death suit against Breidel and the two Oregon courier companies (GTW Distributing LLC and Senvow LLC) she was working for at the time of the wreck. Rudisill is believed to have been making a delivery on the day of the accident directly for GTW.

If you were injured in a car accident or in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, it’s likely a mistake to represent yourself. An experienced, knowledgable car wreck attorney can help maximize your settlement.