Marla L. Fry of Valparaiso Killed when Semi Runs Red Light

A 2009 Freightliner owned by Old Dominion of Thomasville, North Carolina, pulling double trailers was westbound on U.S. 30 early Tuesday afternoon, in the right lane when the driver, Roberto Sanchez, 52 of Charlotte, North Carolina, started coughing.  Sanchez’s co-driver was asleep in the sleeper berth of the semi.  According to reports, Sanchez began coughing uncontrollably and while he realized the light for westbound traffic had turned red, he was unable to stop, hitting a SUV traveling south on 600 West, driven by Marla L. Fry, 43, of Valparaiso, Indiana.

According to the Indiana State Police, the impact caused both vehicles to cross the grassy median and come to a stop in the two left lanes of U.S. 30.  Neither Sanchez or his co-driver suffered injuries but Fry died at the scene.  The Old Dominion truck was loaded with general freight and there were no losses reported.  All lanes westbound were closed temporarily for the reconstruction of the crash.  The Porter County Coroner, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and Union Township Fire and Rescue all assisted with the crash aftermath.

If you have any additional information about this crash, please contact Mario Massillamany of Starr Austen & Miller, LLP at (574) 722-6676.

[Source: Chicago Sun Times]