U.S.

Semi Crashes, Nearly Hits Seattle News Crew

A Seattle news crew was reporting on a semi crash when another semi suddenly barreled through a cement barrier and nearly hit the crew.

Semi Crashes, Nearly Hits Seattle News Crew
KIRO
SMS

Members of a Seattle news crew were getting footage of an accident Monday morning when they nearly became the victims of another.

KIRO reporter Jeff Dubois and photographer Jason Nobles were focusing on the crash ahead when another semi suddenly barreled through a cement barrier and nearly hit them.

Nobody was injured, but what a scare. 

KIRO reports the truck missed them by just 2 feet. Strangely enough, the crash Dubois and Nobles were reporting on also involved a semi.

The near-collision for this local news team is getting national attention. But Dubois didn't think safety would be an issue that morning.

DUBOIS VIA KIRO"We were as safe as we could be, really. We were in an area that was not open to traffic."

The truck driver was reportedly attempting to avoid the traffic caused by the first accident. KIRO said the team was lucky the back end of the truck didn't fishtail as the driver was trying to stop.

This statistic from The Truckers Report helps put things in perspective: Semi trucks need about 40 percent more time to stop compared to cars.

Although the times, they are a-changing, and it's possible the human element might not play as big of a role on roadways in the future. (Video via CNBC)

In late September, for example, Mercedes unveiled a driverless semi that could be on the road within 10 years and promises to make these trucks safer and more efficient.

DR. WOLFGANG BERNHARD VIA MERCEDES-BENZ"This truck is completely autonomous. It does not need any other systems to operate. So you can drive this truck without any assistance." 

A state trooper told Dubois the driver of the semi will most likely receive some type of ticket, but the crash is still being investigated.