Manslaughter charges for improper towing equipment.

Over the years I've seen a lot of inadequate tow setups- lots of issues with no trailer brakes on heavier trailers. Some of it is ignorance about towing requirements, not overt cheapness or lawbreaking. In other words people who follow the rules but then you look at their tow setup and see multiple problems.

I'd say education should be at the top of the list.

More inspections of tow gear during routine traffic stops-including braking systems.

Trailer brakes installed on new trailers at time of purchase in accordance w/ state law. If cargo trailer, braking is based on typical cargo loads. If trailer does not meet the state law, a big obvious for "off road use only" form is signed at time of purchase.

More emphasis on tow gear in DMV handbooks and an occasional question on written tests.

Utility trailer MFG dedicate a bit of advertising space for trailering safety.

Sounds about right. Gross negligence which resulted in gross criminal negligence. It is conceivable that the driver did not know the weight of the load, but compounding the error with other errors becomes unforgivable. I'd be disqualified from that jury for sure. JMHO

I'm all for seeing the rules enforced.

No reference to over towing capacity of the van.
Issues stated; over hitch rating, safety chains inadequate, and no trailer brakes.
Very bad day for the Civic.

Say what you want, but any time I had to investigate an RV accident, the FIRST thing I looked at was the required safety equipment, including aux toad brakes if a toad was involved or trailer brakes on trailers. Every officer I worked with was the same way and most of us had a checklist of required equipment with the legal specs that we used.

Horrible, sad accident that most likely could have been avoided.

et2 wrote:
http://m.ktvu.com/news/news/local/chp-recommends-charges-fatal-pizza-oven-crash/nhgkX/

As he should be charged. I have zero sympathy of those who think it won't happen to them. If you pull over weight or don't have the proper equipment this is what damage you can do

Based on the short story sounds like dinky hitch, no or lack of properly sized safety chains, and no trailer brakes or backup battery.

Didn't know you could find a coupler rated as low as 3,500#!!

http://m.ktvu.com/news/news/local/chp-recommends-charges-fatal-pizza-oven-crash/nhgkX/

As he should be charged. I have zero sympathy of those who think it won't happen to them. If you pull over weight or don't have the proper equipment this is what damage you can do

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Feel sorry for the Civic owner.