Semi Driver and 3 Others Killed in Chain Reaction Crash in Indiana
by Jana Ritter - Published: 5/15/2017A horrific crash involving two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle killed four people near Terre Haute, IN on Saturday. It was yet another tragic example of what can happen when a driver fails to slow down for a traffic back-up.
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The crash occurred on Saturday afternoon just before 5 p.m. in Virgo County, IN. Police say it started with a previous incident involving a tractor-trailer that had pulled over with a small brake fire. Fire trucks and a tow recovery unit were assisting the truck driver on the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 70 near the four mile marker. Traffic was slowed as units attended to the fire and then a far worse situation unfolded. A second tractor-trailer approached the back-up of traffic and failed to slow down. The semi plowed into the rear of a Toyota passenger vehicle and then crashed into the rear of a Maverick flatbed truck hauling steel bars.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts says that all three occupants of the passenger vehicle were killed upon impact and the car erupted into flames. Watts says the semi driver was also killed when he struck the flatbed truck and the steel bars skewered his semi. On Monday afternoon, Indiana State Police identified the semi driver as 38-year-old Jeffrey Kolkman of Jenison, MI. He had been on the job driving for Green Transportation, a company based in Holland, MI.
Authorities also released the identity of the three people who were killed in the passenger vehicle after their families were notified. The driver was Brian Lee, 48, of West Terre Haute, his 23-year-old son, Aaron Lee was in the front passenger’s seat, and 45-year-old Stephanie Swaim of Brazil, Ind., was in the backseat.
Police say that a coroner determined all four victims died on impact. The only positive news to come of the tragic day was that the driver of the flatbed truck managed to survive without suffering any serious injuries. The accident closed eastbound lanes of I-70 in the area for 14 hours, creating more traffic delays.
The investigation is ongoing and police ask anyone with information about the crash to contact the investigating officer, Master Trooper Jason Schoffstall at the Putnamville Post at 765-653-4114.
I knew jeff personally not only as a friend but I also was his dispatcher and safety director over the past few years. He was a very safe driver who followed the rules. He trained many other drivers and taught them the rules of the road. He always put safety first. We need to feel sorry for ALL of the families involved that lost loved ones including jeff who left behind a wife and children. Don't point fingers and blame someone when you have no idea what happened unless you witnessed the accident or was inside of his truck. Someone who was beside jeff when the accident happened said he was not speeding and that traffic came to a complete stop. Anyone who knows trucks knows you can't stop a truck in seconds. I see accidents every day out on the road and everyone always thinks they know what happened...but like I said unless u are in the truck you really have no idea what is going on. Everyone needs to stop pointing fingers and pray for all the families that are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives right now and having to move on with out their love ones ever coming home again. We may never really know what happened but I know for a fact if he could have avoided hitting that car he would have. He would have risked his life to save the life of others as would most truck drivers. But everyone wants to blame the truck drivers.
Well said. There are a lot of things that lead to a crash. It is not always as plain as it appears. This is the case in more than just traffic crashes. Don't be quick to judge. Get the whole story. These are sad situations. Prayers to all who are affected.
Well said Amy , sometimes unforeseen things happen , it can happen in a blink of an eye an it could happen to those pointing their fingers - never say never ! My Heartfelt Prayers goes out to ALL WHO LOST LOVE ONES. ��� Prayers everyone just slows down an think about others around you , don't assume they will do the right thing ! It's sad an scary how people drive anymore ��
Well said Amy!! And sorry for your loss of a good driver!! Prayers for the family!
And I drive everyday with them. They follow way to close in construction. Not only to 4 wheelers but to other semis. I've had to shut down a few because they follow me to close. He just got caught.
Typical know nothing know it all.
Bullshit....the only cause for this was NOT PAYING ATTENTION
Five killed including a tanker driver who slammed into traffic yesterday on i95 in Nc near the Sc line.. my boss knows the tanker driver personally an said he topped a bridge an traffic was stopped..he was pinned in the truck talking to ppl but the flames rose up in his cab an killed him 😞
Everybody knows everything..ugh..Justin Hoke..I tried to be polite..but you must be one phenomenal truck driver to give that bullshit statement..my husband's been a driver for over thirty five years..yes..he's seen good drivers and he's seen bad drivers..but to give a blank staement like that is just cruel and insensitive!! Unless you were in the cab and can tell first hand eye witness accounts..shut the he'll up and let these poor families grieve..
Winchell Locklear thank-you for sharing this info. We just covered that crash today and no sources at the time had info about why he didn't slow down. Makes this tragedy even worse knowing it happened this way and he was alive pinned in the truck.
Thankyou Winchell also for sharing , My heart just breaks for the driver being pinned in the truck an couldn't get out !!! My Husband was burned 80% of his body an survived - My Prayers go out to the drivers family an friends an also to all who were involved - just heartbreaking 💔🙏😢
My husband and I have been truck drivers for over20 years and we also knew Jeff , we work for a different company now but I do know Green is all about safety and most are . I agree with everything Amy said ! Don't judge you weren't there .... Pray instead , if you're not a trucker you have no idea what we go through! My heart goes out to the families!
Shit happens when you don't pay attention!
By the way, I drove OTR for 10 years, 1.2 million safe miles.
Put your damn phones down and pay attention!! 90% of 4 wheelers who pass me and 75% of truckers have phones in their hands! Pay attention! You're drivin an 80,000lb piece of equipment and holding a CDL makes you that much more accountable
Like hell it does! I'm just as accountable on 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 18, or 80 wheels, for I don't answer to your laws, I have to answer to myself. So you can take your laws and fear mongering and stuff it you know where! Besides to get the percentage that you speak of you must be really busy keeping notes, either on a phone or paper or are those numbers just guess work?
Your an idiot
You're considered a "Professional driver" right? Act like one!
Renay Kristapher really
A trucker needs to look down the road not at the end of his hood. Might have saved something here
Looking at everyone yelling at each other solves nothing and never will
Actually read the article it was the truckers fault.
You dont slam into the back of someone by paying attention! I feel bad that so many lives were lost but come on!!
Victor Collins weirdo
You don't answer to the country's laws? YA ok!!! Dolt
Victor Collins your a dick
Jeff Yoder, no I'm not a professional driver and neither are you. Want to wager on it? Before you answer believe me when I say I have proof to this fact.
No I don't answer to this country's laws for my laws are much stricter and I don't believe you could live up to the laws I answer to.
No I don't answer to this country's laws for my laws are much stricter and I don't believe you could live up to the laws I answer to.
As for all you fine folks that like to call others names, I can guarantee that your ignorance is showing.
See what you all don't understand is by my law I'm going to put this mofo down the mountainside before I hit someone else. I can deal with losing my life, I can deal with taking someone else out. So like I said, I don't believe most of you could live up to my standard of laws! So now you all have a good and safe day, for I have to take this machine on down the highway. Got people to save and places to go!!!
Slow down and pay attention stupid people
Does your comment include yourself?
Victor Collins I pay attention unlike others
What a sad situation...didn't see any report that the driver was on a phone though..😞 so let's not be so judgemental and just remember...people lost there lives..period...
Maybe a driver had heart attack or stroke. Who knows . If he was on phone i would say that they will be able to find out. My deepest condolences to the family's that lost loved ones .
This was only 10 miles from my house. My wife and son along with my niece and 3 nephews went by not long before this happened. This kind of crap is happening way to damn often! Way too many drivers today shouldn't even be allowed to operate a freakin scooter!
This is some final destination sounding crap. I've been stuck behind a closure when a few cars were tangled up, one hit the guard rail and another vehicle so hard the engine came out, someone else came up and hit the engine and so on.... BUT the flatbed driver hauling very similar to what's pictured above was aware, was able to steer into the median and he lost the metal bars all over the road but everyone lived. He saved everyone's lives. I think we're over 3 truckers dying everyday by now, so hey folks, WE'RE HIRING.
I mean "we" as a nation. But also GDS Express in Akron operates in Terre Haute and Indianapolis, all the way to Dallas Newark or LA.. Sometimes Sacramento. We are also hiring, and our drivers have not caused any fatalities to my knowledge.
Jeff you will be missed. You were a great cdl trainer. You were one of the ones that followed the rules of the road. I'm confused by what could have happened. I'm sorry for all the families involved.
I love it how when a driver from ANYONE BUT SWIFT is in an accident, everyone tries to defend the driver. I GARUNTEE YOU if this was a swift driver, everyone would be saying "he wasn't paying attention, he was doing this, doing that blah blah blah...but because its not...you guys are making excuses for this driver. There is only ONE EXPLANATION for this DEADLY WRECK....NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!!!!!
Heartfelt Prayers for all who lost their loved ones 💕🙏💕
I'm a hiring manage, I'll make a note of Victor Collins. I certainly don't need or want his attitude here.
Praying for all families this is so heart breaking.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
95 shut down today south of Fayetteville because of wreck involving 2 semis.
I just got through checking and more than 75% of car verses truck accidents are caused by cars!
Justin Hoke..can you read this? Or I suppose she's lying..
Accidents happened before phones too
Prayers to all 🙏🙏🙏 so sad
Such a sad, sad thing!
Prayers to all the family's effected
Stop texting and driving assholes
I'm sorry, but I didn't see anything in the story saying anyone was texting. Please share with us, you God-Like wisdom of how you would know.
Charles Dunitz, does your comment including yourself, because if it doesn't, it sure as hell should!
Is Kim's eye surgery today
Prayers
That looks like a CONWAY truck...hmmm
Yay for tailgaters!
So sad RIP...
Chris Fabrizio, you're one lucky SOB
Ken Douglass
Michael Jimenez Cabrera