During his career, one meteorologist reported some of Indiana’s wildest winter weather, from the state’s earliest-ever snowfall (10 inches in October ’89) to its coldest temps (36 degrees below zero in January ’94).
Randy Ollis — whose name many Hoosiers recognize — spent a successful 39 years reporting the weather for WISH-TV in Indianapolis. Recently, he joined truck-wreck attorney David Craig on one of the country’s top personal injury podcasts.
In episode 54 of After the Crash, Randy and David discussed the impact of snow and ice on our roadways, including why winter roads are so dangerous for heavy trucks.
Randy Ollis: A Meteorologist’s Insights on Indiana’s Winter Road Dangers
Some of us check the weather to decide if we’ll wear pants or shorts, need an umbrella, or wear gloves on a given day. For people like Randy Ollis, weather means more than that.
He has spent most of his life studying and reporting the weather. As a young adult, he received a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Northern Illinois University. His career as a TV meteorologist took him from Ohio to Wisconsin to Oklahoma and, eventually, Indiana.
In 1984, Randy landed at WISH-TV in Indianapolis. He spent the next 39 years there, until his retirement in 2023.
As one of Indiana’s top weather reporters, Randy used his expertise to keep Hoosiers safe. Especially in winter, when snow has fallen, the meteorologist warns drivers of the dangers of slick roads.
Attorneys who represent crash victims, like David Craig of Craig, Kelley & Faultless, consult Randy as an expert on cases involving bad weather. He can look back on the weather from the day of an accident and decide if road conditions may have affected a crash.
Some of these conditions are:
- Snow-packed roads
- Ice-covered roads
- Black ice
- Potholes
- Wet pavement
- Limited visibility
Winter precipitation can make the roads dangerous while it’s falling and for days or weeks afterward. Randy knows this, and he shares his wisdom with younger meteorologists.
“I always warn them, every late fall or early winter,” he said. “I tell them that after a half inch to an inch of snow, that’s going to be a 150- to 200-car-wreck day.”
Introducing “Ask David”: Insights on Truck Accidents and Winter Driving
In addition to welcoming Randy to the podcast, the latest episode introduced a new segment: Ask David.
During this part of future episodes, David and the guest switch roles. Guests can ask David about anything: truck safety, truck accidents, semi-truck litigation, commercial motor vehicle wrecks and more.
In episode 54, for the first time, David was interviewed by a guest. As an expert in winter weather, Randy was curious about David’s perspective as a truck accident attorney. He asked how semis and other heavy trucks are regulated by government organizations like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Randy also asked David about the wrecks he has seen in his 35+ years representing personal injury and wrongful death victims of truck accidents. Unfortunately, winter-weather-related wrecks can happen anywhere and affect anyone.
Look for more Ask David episodes in the upcoming months to hear what guests want to know once the ball is in their court.
Key Takeaways: How Winter Weather Impacts Indiana Roads and Truck Safety
In the first half of the episode, Randy gave listeners some statistics on Indiana’s 2024-2025 winter so far. He asked David questions in the second half, and together they produced some key pieces of advice for anyone driving in adverse weather conditions.
- January in Indiana has been cold and snowy: The average temperature is about 7 degrees below normal, and this month’s snowfall is 5.5 inches above normal.
- It’s nice when the sun comes out and the snow melts, but that is when it’s most important to watch for black ice. When temperatures dip, the melted precipitation will re-freeze and cover the roads with slick patches of black ice.
- Get ready to see a lot of potholes this spring. The freeze-thaw cycle of winter precipitation eats away at the pavement. Remember to drive slowly and avoid swerving if you see a pothole, as this may cause a wreck.
- If you see big rigs on snowy or icy roads, stay far away from them. This will help keep your visibility clear, give you room to react if they spin out, and potentially save lives.
Listen to the full episode now, and follow Craig, Kelley & Faultless on Facebook for more information.
Learn more about Randy and find weather tidbits at his Facebook profile.
After the Crash Podcast: A Legal Resource for Truck Wreck Victims
After the Crash is ranked No. 7 in personal injury podcasts. It is the highest-ranked podcast focusing on personal injury resulting from commercial vehicle wrecks.
The podcast was launched nearly five years ago, in the fall of 2020, by attorney David W. Craig. It educates and empower listeners in a digestible format. It is primarily aimed at the victims and the families of victims of semi or other large truck accidents.
It is David’s goal to equip listeners with the knowledge necessary to navigate this tough time in their lives. Anyone — truck wreck survivors, legal professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone in between — can tune into After the Crash for free.
A new episode is released monthly, featuring a guest with an important perspective. In each episode, David interviews individuals involved in commercial motor vehicle cases, or experts whose skills are crucial to understanding trucking cases.
Episodes are posted on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the Craig, Kelley & Faultless website.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help
Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared to help victims of truck wrecks caused by semi-truck drivers on snowy, icy or wet roads.
Reach out to us for a free case consultation at (800) 746-0226 or online.
David W. Craig is a nationally recognized truck accident lawyer who sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. He was the recipient of the National Thurgood Marshall “Fighting for Justice” Award for his work helping victims of truck wrecks. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
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