Dearborn Heights resident Riyadh Al-Obaidi, 42, was killed in an overnight two-vehicle crash on I-69 near the 213 mile marker in Madison County in Indiana.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — Riyadh Al-Obaidi, 42, of Dearborn Heights was killed in Indiana after being involved in a semi-tractor trailer crash on I-69.
According to the Indiana State Police, the crash took place July 20 in southern Madison County when Al-Obaidi pulled his 2012 Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer onto the right shoulder.
“It is unclear as to why he pulled over; however, investigators determined he exited his vehicle for an unknown reason,” the press release said.
While outside his semi, Al-Obaidi was struck by a 2020 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer driven by Jack Williams, 70, of Pendleton, Ind. Al-Obaidi was transported by ambulance to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with life threatening injuries where he died.
“Investigators believe Williams saw a disabled semi on the shoulder and attempted to merge from the right lane to the middle lane,” the release said. “There were cars in the middle lane which caused Williams to return to the right lane where they believe he over corrected causing his trailer to strike Al-Obaidi while he was outside of his semi.”
Neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to be a factor in the crash. Williams was transported to St. Vincent hospital in Anderson, Ind., for a chemical test which is required by state law.
The crash remains under investigation pending autopsy and toxicology results.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)