Three Tractor Trailer Crash Injures One
Clay County—This afternoon at 2:00, Indiana State Police and Clay County emergency agencies responded to a three tractor trailer chain reaction crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 19 mile marker. One driver was transported for injuries.
Preliminary investigation revealed westbound traffic was slowing or stopping for a nearby road construction project west of the crash scene. A westbound tractor-trailer, driven by 48-year-old Abid Sibalo of St. Louis, MO., applied the brakes at the last minute causing the unit to jackknife and strike another westbound tractor-trailer in the rear, driven by 32-year-old Deepak Aery of Ontario, Canada. The second tractor-trailer then struck the rear of a third tractor-trailer driven by 65-year-old Jerry W. Johnson of Milan, IN. The collisions caused tractor-trailers one and two to erupt in fire and destroy both units.
The extensive fire was extinguished by members of the Posey and Jackson Township Fire/Rescue Departments.
Abid Sibalo was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment of what is believed to be non-life threatening facial, head, and back lacerations and general complaints of pain. Sibalo was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision. He was driving for LTL Systems Inc. of Bridgeton, Missouri and hauling dry goods.
Deepak Aery and Jerry Johnson were reported no injuries. Aery was driving for Ontario Inc of Canada hauling meat and Johnson was driving for Hill-Rom Logistics of Batesville, IN. hauling hospital equipment.
The crash was investigated by ISP Master Trooper Chip McKee. Assisting were ISP Detective Angie Hahn, Trooper Ted Robertson, and Sergeant Joe Watts, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson and Posey Township Fire/Rescue Departments, CARE EMS, INDOT, Lamberts Towing, AAA Towing, Durr’s Towing, Republics Trash Removal.
Pictures of scene attached……Passing lane open at 5:35p.m….Driving lane cleanup ongoing for next 3 to 4 hours estimated....
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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SGT. JOE WATTS
