Carly Holubik, South Effingham Middle School Teacher, Died In Faulkville Dump Truck Accident on Highway 17
FAULKVILLE, GEORGIA (April 7, 2025) – A 32-year-old eighth-grade teacher at Effingham Middle School, identified as Carly Holubik, has tragically died in a Faulkville dump truck accident on Highway 17.
Effingham County officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday morning. Carly Holubik was in a vehicle that was rear-ended by a dump truck.
The force of the impact pushed that vehicle into the back of another dump truck that was in front of it. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, Carly Holubik died due to the severe nature of her injuries. South Effingham Middle School described her as a dedicated eighth-grade teacher who lived to serve the community.
She is survived by her husband, sons, and extended family. It remains unclear if the truck driver involved will receive any citations or face any consequences.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Effingham County Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks are essential for construction projects and numerous other purposes. But they can also pose grave hazards for passenger vehicles. According to the Engineering News Record, “Serious accidents involving dump trucks and ready-mix concrete delivery trucks continue to edge up, part of a persistent, multi-industry problem with poor driving habits that has not yet responded to increased fleet and vehicle insurance premiums.” There are several factors that can make these vehicles particularly dangerous.
- Weight: A fully loaded dump truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. This weight can make dump trucks dangerous even at relatively low speeds.
- Stopping Distance: One of the consequences of the weight of dump trucks is that it creates long stopping distances for them.
- Blind Spots: Like other commercial trucks, dump trucks tend to have large blind spots all around the vehicle. These could easily obscure the presence of smaller passenger vehicles.
- Ground Clearance: Dump trucks have a high ground clearance, which can lead to them pulling smaller vehicles underneath in the event of a crash.
Dump truck drivers will need to acquire a commercial driver’s license. They must exercise a great deal of care to avoid hitting other vehicles. These drivers must operate at a safe speed at all times. Pursuant to GA Code § 40-6-49, the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than would be reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver who collides with the back end of another vehicle in their own lane of traffic.
Liability for any dump truck accident could extend beyond an at-fault driver. If the driver of a dump truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could potentially be held at fault. As a general principle, employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who are working within the course and scope of their job duties. This may include instances where a dump truck was being used to transport goods. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any dump truck accident.
- The police report for the collision should be sought. This report will contain essential information related to the crash, including all involved parties.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken. Photos of the accident site can help paint a clear picture of what happened, regardless of what any person may claim.
- Surveillance footage should be sought. Many accidents are captured by traffic cameras. It is also possible that a nearby business may have captured footage of what happened.
- Medical records related to the crash should be preserved.
Dump truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to be the results of unsafe driving practices. This may include instances where dump truck drivers are speeding or following the lead vehicle too closely. Part of the problem is that many truck drivers are pushed to their very limits to complete routes as quickly as possible. In fact, it is estimated that one in ten truck drivers involved in a fatal collision reported feeling under pressure from their carrier. Depending on the specific facts of any case, dump truck drivers involved in a fatal collision could face some level of accountability through a civil claim or even a criminal claim.
Investigating Effingham County Dump Truck Accidents
We at Butler Kahn extend our deepest condolences to the family of Carly Holubik. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police in Faulkville. There are many questions that remain unanswered. What was the driving record of this dump truck driver? Did the dump truck driver even attempt to brake prior to the collision? Did this driver have logbook or other work violations?
Do you need more information about an Effingham County dump truck accident? Our team of roadway safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent truck drivers are held accountable for their conduct. Whether you just have questions or would like a free, independent investigation into any particular event, we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.
