Lance Estervig Killed in Lake Pleasant Dump Truck Accident on State Route 74

Lance Estervig, 54, Died, 17-Year-Old Girl Seriously Injured in Lake Pleasant Dump Truck Collision on Carefree Highway by 87th Avenue

LAKE PLEASANT, ARIZONA  (March 17, 2027) – A 54-year-old man from Phoenix identified as Lance Estervig has tragically died, and a 17-year-old girl was injured in a Lake Pleasant dump truck crash.

Maricopa County officials are saying that the collision took place around 11:45 a.m. on March 16. A dump truck hauling gravel was heading down State Route 74 in the eastbound lanes.

That truck failed to slow down and rear-ended a white Jeep Grand Cherokee before crashing into a black Ford Expedition. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims.

Lance Estervig was identified as the driver of the Jeep. He and a 17-year-old passenger were both transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Ford reportedly suffered more moderate injuries. Despite life-saving treatment, Lance Estervig was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Arizona Dump Truck Accidents

Dump trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and are incredibly dangerous even at low speeds. Their drivers must obtain a commercial license, and they’re expected to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. According to Arizona Vehicle Code 28-730, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent and shall have due regard for the speed of the vehicles on, the traffic on and the condition of the highway.” Multiple factors could contribute to any dump truck collision.

• Speed: Dump trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. A fully loaded dump truck traveling at freeway speeds can take the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop.
• Fatigue: Dump truck drivers are required to take periodic rest breaks. They must also limit the number of hours they work in any given day or week. These rules recognize the safety hazards that come with driving while fatigued.
• Maintenance: Dump trucks must be periodically inspected and well maintained to function properly. These vehicles have a high utilization rate and can easily break down without adequate maintenance.
• Blind Spots: Dump trucks have large blind spots that can easily obscure the presence of smaller vehicles in the roadway. Truck drivers are supposed to check these blind spots to help mitigate the likelihood of a crash.

If a dump truck driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting another vehicle, this could serve as evidence of negligence. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a vehicle in their own lane of traffic. These types of collisions are nearly always preventable. They tend to be the results of drivers that are traveling too fast or failing to properly scan the road ahead of them for hazards. When a dump truck driver is involved in a crash, their employer could potentially be vicariously liable for the collision. In general, employers in Arizona are responsible for the negligent conduct of their workers who are performing their job duties.

Steps to Take After Arizona Dump Truck Accidents

Dump trucks can be extremely dangerous to pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “A total of 5,472 people died in large-truck crashes in 2023. The number of deaths decreased 8% from 2022 but is up 40% in the last 10 years. The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles (70%), followed by truck occupants (18%), and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists (12%).” Multiple actions should be taken after any dump truck accident.

• Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be sought. It can be enormously helpful with determining what may have led up to any collision.
• Work Records: If a commercial truck is involved in the crash, all work records associated with the driver should be reviewed.
• Medical Records: Medical records related to the collision should be preserved. These records can help paint a clear picture of how an accident took place, even in the total absence of witnesses.
• Independent Review: Any person injured in a dump truck accident should seek an independent review of the collision with a team experienced in accident reconstruction and tort claims.

Dump truck accidents tend to be highly preventable. This is particularly true when a dump truck rear-ends another vehicle. Sadly, though, truck companies and their insurance providers will virtually never accept responsibility for a collision, even when their driver was clearly at fault. This is why it is so important that these incidents be thoroughly investigated by an outside party. Any person injured due to the negligent actions of a dump truck driver is protected by a number of laws. These protections extend to the family members of any person who died in a crash. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating Arizona Dump Truck Accidents

We at The Law Offices of John Phebus extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lance Estervig. It is our sincere hope that the girl injured in this crash will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. What was the safety record of the company that owned this truck? Is there a history of collisions on this stretch of road?

Do you need more information about an Arizona dump truck accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any crash, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (623) 267-9283.