STEUBEN COUNTY, INDIANA — An Ohio truck driver who failed to slow for stopped traffic in an overnight construction zone on the Indiana Toll Road triggered a four-semi crash near mile marker 151.2 late Monday that caught one truck on fire and sent two drivers to the hospital, closing all eastbound lanes until early Tuesday morning.
Indiana State Police responded at 10:39 p.m. on September 14. The preliminary investigation indicates traffic had slowed or stopped as it entered the merge point of an overnight work zone while crews performed work on the Eastpoint Toll Plaza. Ruslan Piddaniuk, 39, of Parma, Ohio, was driving a blue 2020 Volvo and failed to slow for the stopped traffic, running into it and setting off a chain reaction involving three additional semis. One of the trucks caught fire but the driver was able to escape. Two drivers were transported to a local hospital for complaints of pain and were later treated and released.
Eastbound traffic was diverted off the Toll Road at Angola Exit 144 while crews worked through the night to clear the scene. All eastbound lanes reopened at approximately 6:45 a.m.
ISP was assisted by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont Police Department, Fremont Fire and EMS, Indiana Toll Road Maintenance, and Bill’s Professional Towing and Repair.
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