BALTIMORE (AP) — The driver of the gasoline tanker that plunged from an overpass onto Interstate 95 in January apparently suffered a heart attack or other sudden medical problem that caused him to lose control of his truck, according to the final state report.
Investigators for the Maryland Transportation Authority Police found no evidence of serious mechanical defects with the tanker, which had passed an inspection one week before the fiery crash that claimed four lives and shut down I-95 near Elkridge for seven hours Jan. 13.
“The evidence indicates that the driver of [the tanker] experienced a sudden cardiac event or other type of medical emergency, thus explaining why he failed to maintain control over the vehicle,” says the report, which was released yesterday.
The 67-page MTA report says the autopsy of tanker driver Jackie M. Frost, 64, found evidence of cardiovascular disease. Tire marks on the overpass showed that brakes were not applied before the crash, and a witness reported seeing Mr. Frost slumped over the wheel.
Interstate truck drivers are required to pass physicals every two years. The company that employed Mr. Frost said Monday that all of its drivers are in compliance with that regulation. Petro-Chemical Transport of Addison, Texas, declined further comment.
The tanker hit a tractor-trailer driven by Rita Ann Gall, 42, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and a taxicab driven by Marc Baladi, 63, of Baltimore. Both were killed.
Traveling about 300 feet behind Miss Gall was Ronald Grow in a truck with an empty flatbed trailer. The report said Mr. Grow couldn’t stop to avoid the flames and drove through them. His truck was hit by Miss Gall’s.
Mr. Grow, 35, of Windber, Pa., leaped from his still-moving truck and was not injured.
The last vehicle involved was a red Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Maurice Durschlag, 62, of Glen Burnie, who was killed when his pickup hit the rear of Mr. Grow’s flatbed trailer.
No criminal or traffic charges will be filed in the case, the report says.
The report also says tests showed none of the drivers had used illegal drugs or alcohol.
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