On October 23rd, 36-year-old Brandon Friday of Yukon, Oklahoma died tragically when a piece of wood flew off the load of a passing vehicle and crashed through his windshield.
What Happened?
An Oklahoma native, Friday was employed as a contractor for a local utility company.
Friday’s utility truck was driving westbound down Highway 33 near North 2960 Road in Kingfisher County when large wooden boards fell from the back of a 1-ton truck heading in the opposite direction. One of the boards bounced on the surface of the road before breaking through the windshield and hitting Friday.
It happened in seconds. Oklahoma Highway Police Trooper Seth Wallace told reporters that the proximity of the vehicles at the moment the boards fell meant Friday no opportunity to react.
After the wood hit Friday, his passenger–who was unharmed–took control of the wheel and activated the air brakes, bringing the truck to a complete stop in the westbound lane of SH-33.
When Oklahoma Highway Police (OHP) arrived, the other driver was not at the scene. OHP took to social media in a call for any witnesses who had dashcam footage, or remembered any details of the accident, to come forward.
By Friday, police had found the other driver, who said he hadn’t realized that anything had fallen off of his truck. At the time of reporting, no arrests had been made, but investigations were still ongoing.
OHP officer Wallace emphasized that Oklahoma state law requires drivers to make sure everything they’re carrying on their vehicle or trailer is secure before getting on the road.
Wallace also urged drivers to be especially cautious around trucks and trailers carrying loads that could potentially come loose. He advised increasing your following distance around these vehicles.
“We routinely pick up debris in the roadway,” said Wallace. “If you do see a vehicle in front of you that looks like it’s unsecured or something, give them more space, give them more reaction time.”
The Serious Risks Posed By Road Debris and Unsecured Loads
As evidenced in the case above, any cargo or debris that falls from a vehicle on the road is extremely hazardous to other drivers–whether the object strikes another vehicle directly, or simply impedes the path of oncoming traffic, forcing cars to swerve to avoid it.
A study by AAA showed that in the years 2011-2014, road debris was reported as a factor in over 200,000 traffic accidents, resulting in 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths. Of those incidents, roughly two-thirds were caused by debris falling from vehicles due to unsecured loads or improper maintenance.
5 years later, the number of yearly accidents caused by road debris had risen by 80%. In 2019 alone, road debris led to 739 deaths and nearly 90,000 crashes. Crashes involving road debris occur on Interstate highways at roughly four times the rate of other types of crashes.
Other Ways Unsecured Loads Cause Accidents
Falling cargo isn’t the only way an unsecured load threatens road safety. A truck’s unsecured load can also lead to:
- A dangerous imbalance: A truck might sway, tip over, or jack-knife into another lane as a result of shifting weight distribution as cargo moves around.
- Longer stopping distance: If loose objects accumulate in the front of the trailer, the added weight behind the cab could make stopping more difficult, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.
- Extra stress on brakes and tires: Unsecured loads could force brakes and tires on one side of the vehicle to wear themselves out compensating for the uneven weight.
- Hazardous material spills: Spilling inadequately secured fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials could lead to severe burns and other injuries.
Oklahoma Requirements for Securing Cargo
Oklahoma law (Title 47 § 14-105) mandates that drivers ensure that any load carried on a vehicle is properly secured.
These are the steps all drivers carrying cargo should take to verify their load is safe to travel with before departure:
- Use rope, netting, or straps to keep materials firmly in place
- Tie down large items directly to the vehicle or trailer
- Cover the load with a durable tarp or netting when appropriate
- Don’t exceed the vehicle’s weight or capacity limits
- Double-check all tie-downs and coverings before driving to ensure nothing can shift or come loose
Safety Tips To Avoid Being Involved In A Road Debris Accident
For your safety and the safety of others, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation recommends:
- Verifying in advance you have the appropriate equipment or materials to secure your load
- Regularly inspecting your cargo securement devices and anchor points to make sure they’re not defective
- Maintaining your vehicle to avoid tire blowouts or exhaust system and hardware corrosion that can cause car parts like mufflers to break loose on the road
- Practice defensive driving and pad your following distance (never tailgate!) when behind a load-bearing truck
What to Do After an Accident Caused by Road Debris
Getting into an accident caused by road debris may be unavoidable, but there are practical steps you can take in the immediate aftermath to help emergency services and investigators figure out what happened.
If you’re able:
- Call 911 immediately and seek medical attention.
- Move to a safe location away from traffic to avoid secondary accidents, if possible.
- Document the scene with photos or videos of the debris, your vehicle damage, road conditions, and where the object came to rest.
- Collect witness information, including statements about what they saw fall from the other vehicle.
- Save any debris or fragments if it’s safe to do so—these items may help authorities identify the source.
- Preserve dashcam footage and avoid altering or deleting any recordings.
- Obtain a copy of the accident report once it becomes available.
If you are a witness of the accident, cooperate with investigators and reach out with any information or evidence you may have.
How Authorities Investigate Crashes Involving Road Debris
In a case involving road debris or unsecured loads, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and local law enforcement may rely on:
- Witness statements and driver reports
- Dashcam or surveillance footage from nearby vehicles or businesses
- Physical debris and damage patterns
- Commercial vehicle markings, if the load came from a work truck
- Social media alerts or public callouts seeking information
Who May Be Liable in an Unsecured Load or Road Debris Accident?
When a serious or fatal crash is caused by an unsecured load or debris falling into the roadway, determining liability can be complex. Multiple parties may share responsibility depending on how the debris originated and whether safety regulations were followed.
Potentially liable parties may include:
1. The Driver Who Lost the Load
Most unsecured-load incidents occur when a driver fails to properly secure cargo. This may involve:
- Not tying down items adequately
- Using worn or insufficient straps
- Overloading a truck bed
- Failing to check cargo before driving
2. Commercial Trucking Companies
If a commercial or fleet vehicle dropped debris, additional layers of responsibility may apply. Trucking companies may be liable if:
- Cargo securement procedures were inadequate
- Employees were not properly trained
- Equipment was defective or improperly maintained
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules require strict cargo securement standards for commercial carriers.
3. Cargo Loaders or Third-Party Contractors
If a separate business loaded the cargo, they may bear responsibility if improper loading contributed to the crash.
4. Vehicle or Equipment Manufacturers
In rare cases, defective straps, tie-downs, or vehicle components can contribute to a load becoming unsecured.
5. Government Entities (Limited Situations)
If the debris was not removed in a timely manner or the roadway was not maintained, a government entity may be partially responsible. These claims involve strict notice deadlines.
Because debris often scatters or the at-fault driver leaves the scene, securing physical evidence early is critical to determining who is liable.
How The Law Offices Of Craig L. Cook Can Help
Losing a loved one in an auto accident involving road debris or an unsecured load brings a level of grief no family is prepared for. Alongside the emotional shock, families may suddenly face unexpected costs—funeral expenses, medical bills, and the loss of the income their loved one provided.
For more than 40 years, the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook has stood with families across Oklahoma and Arkansas after serious roadway incidents. Our team has extensive experience handling complex accidents involving falling cargo, roadway hazards, and commercial vehicles. We know how complicated these cases can be and work carefully to review the facts, preserve critical evidence, and help families understand the legal options available to them.
If you or someone close to you has been harmed in an accident involving road debris or an unsecured load, we’re here to help. We offer free consultations to answer your questions and explain the steps that may come next.
Call 479-783-8000 today to speak with an experienced car accident attorney.
This report is based on information provided by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Our deepest condolences go out to Brian Friday’s family and all those affected by this tragedy.
