Deadly Indiana Accident Traced to Wisconsin Semi-Truck Trailer Tire
The Indiana State Police have traced the cause of a tragic semi-truck crash back to a tire that flew off of a semi-trailer owned by a Wisconsin trucking company. The crash occurred on September 25, 2008.
Investigators concluded that the right-side rear tandem axle separated from the trailer. One of the wheels then separated from the tandem and continued traveling into the southbound lanes. Eventually becoming airbound and striking a FedEx semi-truck, causing the FedEx truck to lose control. The FedEx semi-truck traveled through the median and into the opposite lanes of travel. Eventually, three northbound vehicles were unable to avoid striking the FedEx truck.
The crash killed two people. Vania Shields was an EMT with the Wayne Township Fire Department. She was 33 years-old. Charles Gould III, was a 28 year-old chemist who worked in the Marion County Crime Lab.
The Indiana State Police investigators worked closely with a forensic scientist and the state crime lab to determine that the tire and wheel found near the I-65 crash scene was owned by the Wisconsin trucking company Millis Transfer, Inc., of Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
Millis Transfer, originally a beer transporter, is a large Wisconsin trucking company with nearly 700 semi-trucks. Millis Transfer owns maintenance facilities in the following cities: Black River Falls, Wisconsin; Richfield, Wisconsin; Weedsport, New York; Streeter, Illinois; Cartersville, Georgia; and Trenton, Ohio. Millis Transfer also has drop yards in the following cities: Ridgeway, Virginia; Albany, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Ft. Worth, Texas; and St. Louis Missouri.
Investigators were not clear as to when the Millis Transfer trailer was last inspected, repaired or maintained. The incident remains under further investigation.
Federal law requires trucking companies to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their equipment, pursuant to §396.3 F.M.C.S.R. Truck drivers are also required to thoroughly inspect their vehicles prior to each trip. A Truck Driver Inspection Report must be completed prior to each trip, pursuant to §396.13 F.M.C.S.R.
