MOBILE, ALABAMA — A truck driver who suffered severe burns when his 18-wheeler crashed off Interstate 10 and burst into flames has died from his injuries, and police have arrested a Mobile man accused of leaving an unattended vehicle in the roadway.
The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. on April 15 on westbound I-10 near Tennessee Street. Mobile police said officers arrived to find an 18-wheeler on fire and the driver suffering life-threatening injuries and severe burns.
Crash Started With Vehicle Left on I-10
Mobile police identified the truck driver as 26-year-old Aram Saakian.
Investigators said Saakian was driving an 18-wheel vehicle hauler when it struck a vehicle that had been left in the middle of the interstate. The rig then hit a concrete barrier, went over the bridge, plunged onto Tennessee Street below, and caught fire.
“The preliminary investigation shows the semi-truck, which was hauling vehicles, left the interstate after a collision with another vehicle,” a Mobile Police Department news release said.
Blake Brown, public affairs officer with Mobile’s Department of Public Safety, said investigators understood that the vehicle had been left in the roadway.
“Our understanding is that vehicle was left in the roadway. We’re not sure why it was left in the roadway at this point, but the truck driver did strike that vehicle ultimately, at this point leading to that crash,” Brown said.
Brown said the driver may not have seen the stopped vehicle before the impact.
“It’s a far drop. That truck driver, I’m assuming, did not see this car that was again stopped in the middle of the road, for whatever reason, in the middle of the interstate,” Brown said.
Vehicle Hauler Went Over Bridge
Police said the semi-truck struck a concrete barrier before going over the bridge and landing on Tennessee Street.
During the crash, an SUV broke loose from the tractor-trailer and came to rest on its side on the interstate against a concrete barrier.
Saakian was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was initially listed in critical condition. Mobile police later said he died from his injuries on April 19.
Officers Used Drones During Search
After the crash, officers used drones to search for anyone connected to the vehicle that had been left on I-10, but they did not find anyone.
“They weren’t sure if somebody had just run from the vehicle and ran into the woods, or if it was someone who may have been hurt again. Went into the woods, maybe down the road looking for help,” Brown said.
At the time, police said they were running the vehicle’s registration to determine who owned it. Investigators did not believe anyone was inside the vehicle when the truck hit it.
Man Arrested in Connection With Crash
Police said 47-year-old Terrele Lutin of Mobile was arrested Thursday in connection with the crash.
Investigators said Lutin admitted he left a vehicle unattended in the middle of I-10 after it ran out of gas. Police said Lutin heard the crash but continued walking away from the scene without notifying law enforcement.
Jail records show Lutin is charged with attempting to elude, leaving the scene of an accident with a death, having no driver license, and second-degree burglary.
Bridge Damage and Traffic Delays Reported
The crash caused significant damage to the bridge, including damage to the concrete barrier, and repairs are now needed.
Crews with the Alabama Department of Transportation helped clear large debris from the crash site.
The wreck also created major traffic delays. Brown said the crash happened at 1:30 a.m., but crews were still on scene well past 8 a.m.
“It definitely tied up traffic this morning for a lot of drivers. Again, this happened at 130 this morning. We were still out there well past 8:00 this morning,” Brown said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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