Dear Editor,

Ink Free News reports that three people died and two were seriously injured on Wednesday morning, when — while they were stopped at a red light — a semi truck struck their vehicle.

The truck also struck other vehicles at the scene — injuring and traumatizing the people inside them. This is a tragedy — and the few known details of the accident make one thing clear: it can happen to anyone.

In 2019, the latest year where data is available, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tells us “5,237 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes,” which is part of a 47% increase in these fatal crashes from 2009-2019.

We must have safer roads in Northern Indiana, better working conditions for folks who drive large trucks and accountability for the corporations that profit while truck drivers (and everyone who rides in a car or truck, including our children) are increasingly less safe.

Our lives depend on it.

Clara Gaddie
Warsaw