Eight Die In Toll Road Crash Save Email Print
Driver Inattention Blamed
Reporter: Mark Peterson
Email Address: mpeterson@wndu.com
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Indiana State Police have identified some of the victims killed in a crash on Thursday on the Indiana Toll Road.

The victims are:

  • Mark S. Repp of Sturgis, Michigan
  • Samuel J. Yoder and Anthony Yoder (father and son)
  • Merle D. Miller, age 44, of Ligonier, Indiana
  • Douglas and Mary Helen George of Springfield, New Hampshire

    The names of two victims were still being withheld, pending notification of kin.

    The preliminary cause of the crash is listed as “driver inattention.”

    It’s believed that a semi-truck driven by Leonardo Cooksey of Mount Prospect, Illinois struck the rear of a pickup truck, which careened into several other vehicles.

    A total of seven vehicles were involved in the chain reaction crash. A total of eight people lost their lives.

    Five of the victims were passengers in an F-250 pickup truck, which was the first vehicle hit by the semi.

    Traffic at the time was slowing down or stopping because of a separate accident about two miles up the road.

    “We’re going to turn over every nook and cranny that we can to make sure that we find out exactly what happened here, because the families deserve an explanation as to how their loved ones passed on,” said Trooper Tim Moon of the Indiana State Police.

    The crash took place around 6:40AM Thursday. While it is near a construction zone, the scene of the crash was not in that construction zone.

    “The conditions were good. It wasn’t rainy, the pavement wasn’t a problem,” said Truck Driver Mark Librande, who was in traffic, just behind the accident.

    “It was probably the usual, which is speed,” Librande added.

    It took crews about nine hours to clean up debris from the accident.

    During that time, the portion of the Toll Road between Middlebury and Bristol was closed.

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    Posted by: Kurt Location: Elkhart on Apr 30, 2007 at 08:15 AM
    Why were they trying to remove a truck (first accident) (that backed it up in the first place) from the median at 6am in the first place , it was still very dark and raining and the truck was safely in the median they could ahve waited , and why not use the elec message boards to tell people that traffic was backed up at the bristol exchange ??? the traffice sign that slows people down is on a s-curve and it can be a surprise to people to coem around that corner and boom the traffic is supposed to be slowed down to 45mph very fast and to quickly for my taste
    Posted by: Doyle Location: Goshen,In on Apr 29, 2007 at 01:30 AM
    Kudos to George and his truthful comments. I must say i was outraged at some of these comments especially those who don't like trucks or truck drivers.I'm proud to be a 19 year truck driver and have sucessfully logged 1 Million Miles. While this whole accident was a tragedy and the truck driver should be held accountable for his mistake,Please don't categorize those of us out here who are hard working men and are trying there best to be safe and get the goods delivered in the safest manner. I truly believe if every person would drive a semi for 1 week, you would change your driving habits. We have such goods times out here driving in rain,snow,sleet,ice,tornado's,high winds,duststorms, and the like.Sounds Like a day in paradise does'nt it.We do this because so much enjoy getting ridiculed. I get in the truck every day and I can't wait for a 4 wheeler to cut in front of me.It just makes my day.I like my heart down by my ankles and a pair of clean underwear. A final thought: WITHOUT TRUCKS AMERICA STOPS!!! end of discussion
    Posted by: Kat Location: Southwest Mich. on Apr 28, 2007 at 09:48 AM
    Our hearts go out to the families who lost love ones in this horrific and tragic accident.These type of accidents are happening way to often due to carelessness with semi drivers.Why? Is it the increase of the speed limits? Is it younger,inexperienced drivers? I have to say, I do not travel much on I-94 solely because of the trucks!This is a problem that really needs addressing.Too many innocent lives lost!!!
    Posted by: colene Location: Utah(orig. Lagrange) on Apr 27, 2007 at 10:37 PM
    I agree with renee my husband is a truck driver i use to be scared to be around them too but i have come to notice since my husband points things out that yeah some truck drivers are that way but people on the roads are just as bad if not worse, talking on the cell phone and driving cutting over thinking they can because the trucks are big and they are small and can swirve over...its crazy! i could go on and on but i wont, thoughts and prayers to ALL the victims in this accident it is a horrible thing.
    Posted by: George Location: Middletown,NY on Apr 27, 2007 at 06:31 PM
    Kim,Susan,and all...You are right.Get ALL truckdrivers off the road...then watch your food run out your gasoline run out,your clothes...and all the other stuff that you all can surely live without.As far as car drivers go...reading books,putting on makeup,watching TV,yelling at kids,yakking on the cell phones....all these are legitamate distractions.I rolled by this wreck 1/2 hour after it happened...oh by the way....guess what I do...hated truck driver.Instead of pointing fingers and spewing retarded commnts how about mourning the families of the survivors?And while you are at it take the time to educate yourself and learn what the interstate was designed for....THATS RIGHT..interstate commerce and the military....I have a news flash for you....We are family men and woman doing a thankless job out here for the benefit of the country so we can be mindlessly bashed by you "concerned citizens"who think you have all the answers.My heart goes out to the victems families.But who knows....maybe my turn will come tomorrow....by some "careful motorist who knows everything"BTW 30 years safe driving a tractor trailer. George Gushin Middletown,NY
    Posted by: K.D. Location: Roswell, NM on Apr 27, 2007 at 05:28 PM
    It's true that a lot of truckers don't practice professionalism in their driving but it's also true that those driving cars and smaller vehicles don't either. It is so vitally important to remember that when you are around a trucker, you must give him/her the courtesy that you expect. When you, in your hurried frenzy, cut him off, his actions may very well affect someone else and you not even know it. Case in point, the Governor of New Jersey's accident caused by a four-wheeler. You should try sitting in their seat and observe how other people drive. You would be amazed at your own habbits.
    Posted by: Dee Location: Ohio on Apr 27, 2007 at 05:01 PM
    First of all, my prayers go out to the families that lost loves ones in this accident. Second, my uncle is a truck driver, he used to struggle with his driving and has since really worked on it. He is a VERY conscience driver now and has learned how to operate his rig better....I am not a fan of semi's. I hate them in fact, but the fact of the matter is they have to be on the roads and something needs to be done about the ones that get into these wrecks. There has to be a class, driving school, but police officer patrols out there to help with this problem. But its not just semi drivers, I cannot count how many times I have almost been rearended by people in cars....we all need to be accountable and all need to strive to drive safely. After all, driving is a team sport.
    Posted by: Melissa Location: Mishawaka on Apr 27, 2007 at 12:29 PM
    It's very sad that these people had to lose their lives in such a horrible accident that could have been avoided. Every time I go on the toll road I am scared to death that a semi is going to change lanes and smash me. Not all semi drivers are careless but there are a lot on the roads that shouldn't be.
    Posted by: Renee Location: Chicago on Apr 27, 2007 at 11:50 AM
    I work for a trucking coompany and I agree there are alot of truckers who shouldn't be on the road but on the other hand there are alot of drivers out there who think they can just pull in front of trucks or cars and jam on the brakes with no thought of the semi they just pulled in front of. Just think twice before you sneak in front of a semi to beat him off the line or jump in front of him to get off an exit!! They have alot of weight to stop much more then you do..............loaded or unloaded.
    Posted by: susan Location: elkhart on Apr 27, 2007 at 10:59 AM
    It's about time they do something with these truck drivers. They kill people every day. They always speed and no one ever bothers them. I am always scared to death that they will hit me. I hate them behind me. They are a dangerous bunch of drivers on the road. Do something quick.
    Posted by: Paul Knoll Location: Berrien Springs, MI on Apr 27, 2007 at 10:33 AM
    Dear WNDU News, In light of yesterdays’s tragedy on the toll road I would like to share a technique to minimize damage and injuries that I learned while an exchange student in Germany in the mid 70’s. When coming to a standstill on the Autobahn we would stagger by a half a car width right and left; of course staying within the prescribed width of the lane. The purpose of this was that if a rear-end impact hit the back car it would be partially transmitted laterally and not spread through chain reaction up the extent of the traffic jam. If this had been practiced yesterday possibly fewer cars might have been involved or at least to a lesser extent. Please validate this idea with the state police and convey to your viewers as a public education item. Sincerely, Paul
    Posted by: joe Location: lancaster pa on Apr 27, 2007 at 07:42 AM
    cmv driver fatigue is an ongoing problem. cmv driver rules & regs virtually un-enforced. truck law enforcement in this country is a federal joke. more will die!
    Posted by: Sherry Durk Location: Linden, Michigan on Apr 26, 2007 at 10:55 PM
    This is a tragic accident. I too, lost my only child on July 6, 2006 from a similar accident. We were heading back to Michigan from Kansas when we came to a safe stop in traffic and were hit by a semi, killing my 15 year old daughter. The reason the traffic was stopped was because another semi truck driver had fallen asleep, blocking traffic about a mile up the road. Turns out he had a criminal record stretching as far back as 1979. My heart goes out to the families. www.justiceforjanelle.com There are people out there trying to make a difference getting these fatigued and sometimes drug induced drivers off the road. People must write to there local represenatives and demand change. It's the only way we are going to get notice.
    Posted by: Barbara Location: Ohio on Apr 26, 2007 at 09:16 PM
    I drive the turnpike from Ohio to South Bend 4-5 times a week for my job. I am appalled by the lack of respect for the signs in the construction zones, especially around the Elkhart area. How many more lives will be lost to replace a bridge? We are now up to 12 in a one year span. How many more?
    Posted by: KIM Location: ELKHART on Apr 26, 2007 at 07:17 PM
    It's not safe any more on the toll road or the interstat. Truck driver should drive careful and don't go over the speed limit. There should be more State Police and DOT should be out there and make it more safe for other people out there.
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