Driver in wreck that killed 9-year-old drove for “very unsafe” company

A preliminary crash report detailing the investigation into a July wreck that claimed the life of a young boy has been released, citing “unsafe speed” by the truck driver and an overall “very unsafe” trucking company. 

The crash happened on July 25th on Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, Indiana in a construction zone. 

According to WRTV, “[The semi driver] stated that he swerved and almost hit a car so he then slammed on the brakes because he was about to hit a car,” the ISP crash report reads. “He stated that his trailer then went around him. He stated that he didn’t remember what car he hit.”

At some point during the incident, the truck driver struck a Honda Civic with the Goodrich family inside. The driver, Chris Goodrich, and his two children, Eamon and Brynn, were all inside of the sedan at the time of the wreck. Chris sustained serious injuries in the wreck, Brynn suffered minor injuries, and Eamon was pronounced dead at the scene. They were on their way home from spending time with family in Michigan.

After the wreck, the unnamed truck driver was taken to a nearby hospital for a blood draw. The results of the blood test have not been released. 

“Investigators believe excessive speed by the semi driver played a role, as well as non-compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Regulations allotted hours of service,” Indiana State Police said in a news release on July 25.

The driver was working for Forward A2B Inc. out of Bensenville, Illinois at the time of the crash. Investigation into the company revealed that Forward A2B has 150 trucks, 145 truck drivers, and has been cited 26 times in the last two years for unsafe driving on the part of its drivers, along with 14 Hours of Service violations. The unsafe driving citations include violations such as inattentive driving, speeding, and reckless driving. Hours of Service Violations for the company’s drivers include operating a CMV while ill or fatigued, false report of drivers record of duty status, and no drivers record of duty status. The company also has a vehicle Out of Service rate of 50%. 

“These directly point to the safety culture of this company,” said James Lewis, an expert witness on transportation safety.  “I would say it’s very unsafe, unsatisfactory…. To have that many is an astronomical number.”

The crash is still under investigation and no criminal charges have been brought against the truck driver as of August 7th.