CLAY COUNTY, Ind – Indiana State Police are investigating a crash between two semi tractor-trailers which occurred late this morning on Interstate 70 westbound, that claimed the life of an Indianapolis woman.
This was the second fatal crash of the morning on the Interstate.
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Jeremy Lewis, who was located within the area helping to slow traffic due to the earlier accident at the 10 mile marker, shows that at approximately 11:53 a.m., a semi tractor-trailer, driven by 49 year old Joe L. Robinson Jr. of Indianapolis, was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near the 17 mile marker.
Robinson stated that he had dropped his sandwich and had leaned over to pick it up, taking his eyes off the roadway. He stated that once he looked back to the road, he saw that traffic had slowed and stopped in front of him due to the earlier crash.
Robinson stated that he attempted to avoid a collision with another semi tractor-trailer by steering hard to the left. Being unable to avoid a collision, Robinson then clipped the rear of another semi tractor-trailer driven by 30 year old Michael A. Workman, of Glendale, Arizona.
That crash caused the fuel tank of the first truck to burst into flames.
Robinson’s tractor-trailer continued to travel towards the south side of Interstate 70, eventually going into the median and coming to a stop.
A passenger in Robinson’s truck, 45 year old April L. Robinson, of Indianapolis, was located in the sleeper during the time of the accident, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger, 52 year old Charles T. Tolbert, of Yuma, Arizona, who was in the sleeper of Workman’s tractor-trailer, received neck and back injuries from the impact of the accident. Tolbert was taken by LifeLine to a hospital in Indianapolis.
Tolbert’s injuries were non-life threatening.
The drivers of both semi tractor-trailers were not injured, as both were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a contributing factor of the accident.
Several good Samaritans, who witnessed the accident, worked to assist the Indiana State Troopers by using fire extinguishers to put out the fire. Individuals also helped by rendering first-aid to those involved in the accident.
