I-85 Trucker Hits Good Samaritan Helping a Motorist

Travis Fortson of Greenville, South Carolina stopped to help at a collision scene July 10, 2007, on I-85 in Cherokee County near Gaffney, South Carolina. He doesn’t remember much else after getting out of his car.

A drug-intoxicated and speeding tractor trailer driver soon came along, lost control and jackknifed, slamming into Mr. Fortson and two other bystanders. Fortson suffered terrible injuries. The damage to his right leg was so severe the doctors had to amputate. The truck crash also fractured his pelvis, shoulder blade, and eye orbit and he had most of the muscles in his right arm torn away. The other two men hit by the truck, Darrel Foster of Spartanburg, South Carolina and Duane Henley of Charlotte, North Carolina, managed to escape serious injury.

Mr. Fortson was recently released from the hospital to begin his long recovery. A married father of two young daughters, Fortson is a pharmaceutical sales representative and Citadel alumnus. By all accounts, he is an extremely positive and determined man, and his family and community have rallied around him. Considering what could have happened, he is fortunate to be home right now.

Prosecutors from the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office offered some insight into the cause of the collision. The truck driver, Sherry Lynne Davis, a Greenwood, South Carolina resident, has been charged with felony DUI with great bodily injury and speeding.

At her bond hearing August 28, the deputy solicitor told the magistrate that she was under the influence of drugs at the time of the collision. The magistrate set her bond at $50,000. If she is able to post bond, she will be monitored by a GPS ankle bracelet and she cannot drive.

Thanks to Greenvillenews.com, goupstate.com, and WYFF4.com.

The Jeffcoat Firm is a South Carolina injury law firm whose injury attorneys represent people and families who have suffered losses in motor vehicle and auto accidents - including those caused by drunk drivers. The Jeffcoat Firm concentrates on helping people who face the most serious losses - like wrongful death, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries. For professional representation in the aftermath of such an injury, you can reach us at 1-800-827-7898. Although we do not accept every case (the cases we accept must meet certain criteria) we would be glad to assist you in finding the right lawyer for you.