Arnold O. Rexroad Killed when Semi Jackknifes in Hendricks County
On February 14, 2012, a semi driven by Arnold O. Rexroad, 64, of Effingham, Illinois, became disabled on the eastbound shoulder of I-70 between mile markers 51 and 59, near Monrovia, Indiana, in western Hendricks County, and was hit by a second semi.
Rexroad was in the process of being towed when a 2003 green Freightliner, pulling two trailers and being driven by Richard C. Maples, 60, of Wilmington, Ohio, lost control of his semi on wet pavement caused when his second trailer jackknifed. The second trailer struck Rexroad’s semi from behind and pushed the disabled semi forward into the wrecker.
Mr. Rexroad was pronounced dead at the scene after he was pinned between his tractor and the tow truck. The tow truck driver, Joshua D. Sims of Cloverdale, Indiana, managed to jump from between the vehicles and out of the way but was listed in critical condition. Maples, who drives for R and L Carriers, based in Wilmington, Ohio, was also injured. Both Sims and Maples were taken to Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis.
The crash shut down about eight miles of eastbound I-70 west of Indianapolis near Monrovia for several hours due to a material spill onto the roadway from one of the semis. Traffic was diverted from eastbound I-70 at Cloverdale north onto U.S. 231 to U.S. 40.
The crash occurred before 8:00 a.m. as the last band of snow moved out of the area leaving 1-2″ of snow across central Indiana. In the morning, rising temperatures melted the snow, leaving behind watery and slick roads.
Witnesses told police that the semi that jackknifed appeared to be going faster than other vehicles on the road. Police stated that the causation factor for a majority of the morning crashes and slide-offs were due to motorists traveling too fast on slick roads and stated that when the interstate is wet and covered with snow or ice, motorists should reduce their speed.
If you have any information regarding this accident, please contact Mario Massillamany at Starr Austen & Miller, 201 S. Third Street, Logansport, Indiana.
[Sources: WishTV, The Indy Channel]