Plymouth, Indiana – Two Young Men Tragically Killed in Rear-End Collision with Semi on U.S. 30

According to an article posted yesterday, August 26, 2021 on patch.com, Patric McGlynn, 19 and John Paul Eckel, 21 were stopped in traffic on U.S. 30 when they were rear-ended by a tractor-trailer driven by Inderjit Singh Sidu, 28 of California.  The Freightliner semi driven by Sidu and the SUV containing McGlynn and Eckel burst into flames upon impact.  The SUV was pushed into another semi driven by Thomas Lewis of Indiana.  At the time of the article, the accident was still under investigation by the Plymouth Police Department and no charges had yet been filed.

McGlynn and Eckel were both previously from Enfield, Connecticut, but Eckel had moved to Indiana about a year ago and was studying to be a priest.  According to the article, Eckel had been working for a local company in the small town of Plymouth, Indiana for the last year and was joined recently by McGlynn.

Reasons Rear-End Collisions Happen

We don’t know all the circumstances of this collision, but rear-end collisions are often the result of distracted driving, speeding, mechanical failure of some sort or failing to observe road conditions.  I am hired every year to handle these types of cases for families and more times than not there is at least some degree of distracted driving involved.  Distracted driving by anyone behind the wheel is dangerous, but distracted driving by semi drivers can quickly lead to devastating circumstances.   According to truckinginfo.com a recent study released by Omnitracs on July 22, 2021 found that:

• Truck drivers distracted heavily by mobile phones are involved in collisions at a rate 2 times higher than the least distracted drivers
• Drivers identified as “most distracted” roll through stop signs and traffic lights at a rate 2.7 times higher than the least distracted drivers
• Drivers distracted heavily by mobile phones had speed incidents of 10 plus mph over the speed limit at a rate 3.2 times higher than the least distracted drivers
• Drivers identified as “most distracted” drift out of lane at a rate 2.3 times higher than those identified as “least distracted” drivers.

Involved in a Collision with a Semi-Tractor or Trailer?

If you are involved in a crash caused by a tractor-trailer in Indiana, our knowledgeable truck accident lawyers are ready to help. A trucking accident can be devastating if you have suffered serious injuries, or if you have lost a loved one. Please call our talented Indiana truck accident lawyers at the law offices of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. We will help you determine the cause of the wreck and hold those responsible accountable. You can reach us online by filling out a contact form, and a representative from our office will get in touch with your shortly.

I would invite you to check out my recently published book Semitruck Wreck: A Guide for Victims and Their Families as well as my “After the Crash Podcast” videos on Youtube where I discuss in detail things that you will find helpful, especially if you’ve been in a recent crash.