New Buffalo Township, Mich. — A horrific crash near the Indiana state line on Monday afternoon claimed the life of a semi-truck driver, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on westbound I-94 in New Buffalo Township, just a short distance from the state border.
Authorities say the incident involved two semi-trucks, one traveling eastbound and the other westbound. The eastbound semi-truck, for reasons still under investigation, crossed over the cable barriers separating the two directions of traffic and collided with the westbound semi-truck.
A witness, who was driving behind the eastbound truck, reported seeing the driver struggling to maintain control of his vehicle. The witness noted that the truck appeared to be in distress before it suddenly swerved left, crossing all three lanes of eastbound traffic. The truck then traveled through the median, narrowly avoiding a westbound car before crashing into the westbound semi-truck.
The driver of the eastbound semi-truck, identified as 45-year-old Jeffrey Oneal of Livonia, was ejected from his vehicle upon impact. Deputies confirmed that he suffered significant trauma to his head and lower extremities. Despite the efforts of first responders, Oneal was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the westbound truck was not injured in the crash, authorities reported.
The crash resulted in the closure of two westbound lanes of I-94 for several hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage and investigate the scene. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the incident remains under investigation, with authorities awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine whether any medical conditions may have contributed to the crash.
The tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by truck drivers on the road, especially when unforeseen medical issues may lead to sudden loss of control. Authorities are continuing to piece together the events that led to the crash, and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
