Note: How does somebody know how much a truck and pull?

Who is responsible to educate this person?

Why did this accident happen?

Why was he not charged?

Flipped trailer blocks traffic

Published: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 4:40 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.

HOUMA — Westbound traffic on U.S. 90 was partially blocked for nearly an hour and a half after a truck pulling a travel trailer jackknifed just west of the Chacahoula on-ramp this afternoon, police said.

Paul A. Kennedy, 44, of Oakdale, was driving a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado west, pulling a 29-foot travel trailer, when he drifted near the barrier wall during a left curve in the road. Kennedy overcorrected, overturning the travel trailer, which broke loose from the pickup. If the trailer had stayed connected, the truck may have flipped also, police said.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which was called in to police about 1:20 p.m., and no injuries were reported.

State Police remind drivers that vehicles should be of adequate size to tow large trailers.

The Silverado's gross-vehicle weight rating, which dictates the size of the load the truck is capable of hauling, was insufficient to tow the 29-foot travel trailer, according to trooper Gilbert Dardar, spokesman for State Police Troop C.

Kennedy was not cited in the crash.