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Elkhart County- A driver of a semi is lucky to have escaped with minor injuries after he drove his semi into the back of another semi on the Indiana Toll Road.
Just after 2:45 p.m. on July 1, 2021, Indiana State troopers responded to a crash between two semis that stopped traffic in the westbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road near mile marker 104. This is approximately 3 miles west of the Middlebury Exit.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Garrett Tharp indicates that a black 2019 Freightliner towing a box trailer loaded with plastic trays driven by Carlos Jacome, 31 of Chicago, IL was traveling in the right lane in traffic that was stop-and-go due to a construction zone being taken down. A red 2020 Mack towing an empty tanker trailer driven by Georg Kirkilewski, 68 of Peoria, IL was also traveling in the right lane a short distance behind Jacome. Kirkilewski reportedly became momentarily distracted and drove into the back of Jacome’s trailer when traffic again slowed quickly.
Kirkilewski was entrapped and had to be extricated by Bristol Fire and EMS before being taken to Elkhart General Hospital with minor injuries. Jacome was not injured in this crash. Both Kirkilewski and Jacome were wearing seatbelts.
Westbound traffic was diverted off the Indiana Toll Road at the Middlebury Exit until approximately 4:50 p.m. when traffic was allowed to get past the crash on the left shoulder. Both lanes were reported to be opened at approximately 5:30 p.m.
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