VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Terre Haute semi-truck wrecker driver blamed the sweltering heat for causing him to have a medical issue leading to a wreck on State Road 63, but law enforcement said charges could be on the way.
That’s according to investigating deputies in Vermillion County, who said the crash occurred on Thursday, June 20 along S.R. 63 near County Road 1780 S.
Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Joe Wilson said deputies were dispatched to a call about a semi wreck at 11 p.m. that night.
Initial reports indicated that two semi trucks had collided, but when deputies arrived on scene they learned that a semi-wrecker had been pulling another semi and left the roadway.
The driver, a 57-year-old Terre Haute man told investigators that he was driving when he became overcome by heat and passed out. The vehicle reportedly ran over about 224 feet of guard rail before completely leaving the roadway and crashing into the wooded area nearby.
The semi driver who was being towed had been asleep inside of his disabled semi at the time of the crash. Both men were taken by ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash took a lengthy time to clear as crews reduced northbound traffic to a single lane for 5.5 hours.
While the driver claimed the heat was responsible for the incident, Deputy Wilson said consumption of a controlled substance is believed to be a factor in the crash, and law enforcement has sent a report to the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The driver’s identity is not being published at this time as a check of court records showed that charges have not officially been filed.
Indiana State Police confirmed that they conducted a post-crash DOT inspection. The driver was issued a warning for a flat tire.
