Indiana State Police (ISP) are investigating a fatal crash that occurred when a semi plowed into an Indiana toll plaza at a ‘high rate of speed,” striking two big rigs.
The crash occurred around 8:15 a.m. on December 12.
ISP says that Iowa resident Edwin Lee Bottelman, 73, was operating a 2020 Freightliner pulling a bulk tanker trailer on eastbound on I-80/90 in Steuben County, Indiana.
At an Indiana Toll Road toll plaza located at mile marker 153, Bottelman’s truck struck a 2017 Freightliner driven by Issayas Gilu, 38, stopped in lane five of the eastbound toll plaza, then veered over into lane three, where it rear-ended a 2018 Freightliner driven by Ahmednoor Siyad, 35.
Bottelman’s truck crashed under the trailer pulled by the 2018 Freightliner, resulting in “catastrophic” damage to the passenger area of the cab.
Bottelman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Siyad was hospitalized with minor injuries. Gilu was not hurt.
“Prior to the crash, Bottelman was coming into the toll plaza at a high rate of speed with no evidence of slowing or braking prior to impacting two other semi’s that were in line for the toll plaza,” ISP said. “Although not conclusive, investigators suspect that Mr. Bottelman may have suffered a medical problem which may have contributed to the initial loss of control. That portion of the investigation remains under investigation with the Steuben County Coroner’s Office. The family of Mr. Bottelman have been notified of his death.”
The crash is still under investigation by ISP.