A UPS delivery truck was seen on video skidding down Sam Rayburn Highway in Anna, Texas, and crashing into a tree on Friday after the driver lost consciousness in the extreme heat, FOX 4 reported.
The UPS driver from Longview reportedly lost consciousness while driving due to a high fever and was hospitalized. According to He told FOX 4. The incident began when the driver was asked to temporarily leave work in McKinneyville. According to to representatives of Teamsters Local 767. Temperatures reached 102 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas-Fort Worth on Friday, according to FOX4.
The driver reportedly exhibited symptoms of heat exhaustion while making the delivery and called for help, but the Teamsters said he did not receive immediate help and was asked to drive himself back to the McKinney facility.
“The company has once again failed to follow its own recharging guidelines and asked drivers to drive themselves, which is unacceptable,” Teamsters Local 767 said. stated In a Facebook post.
The driver reportedly lost consciousness while trying to leave, and the UPS truck swerved on the highway, narrowly avoiding at least one oncoming vehicle before crashing into a nearby tree. The accident happened just before 7:25 p.m., and the driver had been working there for six to seven hours, FOX 4 reported, citing the union. (Related story: Teamsters fail to negotiate air-conditioned trucks, drivers suffer in summer heat)
UPS ACCIDENT: According to Teamsters Local 767, this UPS truck driver lost consciousness while driving due to the heat on Friday. Temperatures in DFW reached 102 degrees Fahrenheit. pic.twitter.com/hhPIBmQ3TU
— FOX 4 News (@FOX4) August 18, 2024
The investigation is ongoing, and Anna Police confirmed to FOX 4 that the cause of the crash was likely a medical incident. The driver was reportedly taken to the hospital after the accident and released on Saturday.
In a statement condemning UPS, Teamsters Local 767 added, “A driver lost consciousness while driving and was involved in the accident shown in the video below. Thankfully the driver is alive and was released from the hospital today. The company continues to place packages over people's heads. This is the third accident in McKinneyville alone.”
The union reportedly urged drivers not to trust the company to prioritize their health and safety, and to contact stewards, salespeople or other drivers if they encounter similar issues. “Don't hesitate to call 911,” the union advised.
UPS responded to the incident by voicing concerns about the safety and health of its drivers.
“We are aware of an incident involving one of our drivers in McKinney, Texas. We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our drivers. We are working with authorities as they investigate and refer questions to them,” UPS said in a statement to FOX4.
UPS also emphasized its investments in heat protection, saying it has spent more than $409 million on safety training across the country and added cooling equipment to vehicles and facilities, the outlet reported. In recent negotiations, UPS said new vehicle purchases would be equipped with air conditioning, but the majority of UPS vehicles currently lack this feature, FOX 4 reported, citing the union.
