A truck driver hauling scrap iron along Idaho 52 Wednesday accidentally ignited a series of grass fires that threatened homes, closed the highway and knocked out electricity for more than 4,000 Idaho Power Co. customers. Rest of the story in the Idaho Statesman. By Patrick Orr.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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It will be intresting what will happen with this. Remember a few years ago, if I remember correctly, a couple towing a car behind their RV caused a huge fire, after one of the car tires blew out and the sparks from the bare rim lit up a trail behind them.
If I were driving, and by my carelessness caused the death or injury of another motorist; I would be liable for that injury or death under the law.
This truck driver should be held liable for his inaction as well. A truck driver, or any driver hauling a load, is responsible for securing that load in the confines of the vehicle. Inadvertantly behavior leading to these consequences does not excuse the act. The driver knows this, or should.
He should be held accountable for damages, both criminally and financially.
d. bailey: The RV pyromaniac incident was more than a decade ago, I think, during the Andrus administration. Idaho either sued the vacationing couple for firefighting costs or prosecuted them for some kind of negligent arson or something. I can’t remember the final disposition of that case.