A Colon, Michigan, man was killed when police say he lost control of the semi he was driving.
The collision happened around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, near the 151-mile marker on the Indiana Toll Road.
Indiana State Police troopers found the driver of the semi, Stephen Robert Downs, 61, trapped inside and unresponsive.
There were no other occupants in the semi.
The Indiana State Police issued the following information about the crash:
At approximately 6:45 p.m. this evening, the Indiana State Police responded to a single vehicle semi rollover crash on the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) near the 151 mile marker, Steuben County.
Upon arrival, troopers found a Freightliner semi-tractor pulling a bulk liquid tanker trailer rolled over down in the center median. The driver was trapped inside the cab and unresponsive. First responders were not able to extricate the driver initially due to the extensive damage. The driver, Stephen Robert Downs, 61, of Colon, Michigan succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene. There were no other occupants in the truck.
Damage to the tanker allowed the spillage of approximately 4,000 gallons of milk, along with approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel. Clean up of the wreckage debris and spillage required the closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes for nearly two hours.
Trooper Brandon Johnson’s preliminary investigation revealed that the semi-tractor/trailer was initially traveling eastbound on I-90 in the left lane. For an unknown reason the semi-tractor ran off the edge of the road onto the soft shoulder. The driver attempted to correct, but lost control. Both the semi-tractor and trailer rolled over onto the driver’s side and came to rest in the median. Extensive damage was sustained to both the tractor and trailer. Due to the damage sustained, it was initially undetermined if Downs was restrained at the time of the crash. Alcohol use was not suspected.
The crash remains under investigation by the Indiana State Police and the Steuben County Coroner’s Office. There is no further information available for release at this time. With the assistance of the Michigan State Police, notifications have been made to the Downs family.
Trooper Johnson was assisted at the scene by Steuben County Sheriff Department, Steuben EMS, Freemont Fire Department, and the Steuben County Coroner’s Office.
2 comments
Sorry to read of another Death due to a Tractors forced participation with a coupled Trailer that is IMMINENT to Rollover; as the Trailer is the dominant controlling energy force that will force the Tractor to follow to its Destruction; and cause Harm and the Death to its occupants of Men, Women & Children by the many Hundreds, each year when Thousands of these accidents occur annually, that are not always the “Drivers” fault, in the U.S. alone! Interested in a common-sense resolve to save lives when these Commercial Tractor Trailer Rollovers are IMMINENT? Visit my research submission to the U.S. Transportation Research Board at http://WWW.DEFORMABLEKINGPIN.COM that will expose WHY these accidents continue to be recorded for over 40 years as backs turn for PAY-LOAD influence and reject common-sense! DJK
I was the first one on the scene at this accident. I want to extend my condolences to Mr. Downs friends and family.