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Semi driver dead after hit by car as rig burned

Saturday, May 31, 2008

U.S. Highway 51 south of Newbern was closed for several hours Saturday morning after a tractor-trailer rig driver walked across the interstate and was struck and killed by a passing van.

(Photo)
Newbern firefighters examine the remains of the burned cab and trailer on Saturday morning.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Charles P. "Chuck" Wormuth, 37, of Carbondale, Penn., died at the emergency room of Dyersburg Regional Medical Center after he was transported from the crash scene.

According to Dyer County Sheriff's Department reports, Wormuth had called 911 at 2:41 a.m. about a tire on his tractor-trailer rig catching on fire and that he was heading south towards Memphis. Contact was lost, the report said, and the alert went to deputies, Dyersburg and Newbern police to check the interstate. The dispatcher attempted several times to call Wormuth for more information, but there was no answer. The Newbern fire department was also notified of the situation.

Four minutes later, Shirley White, 45, of Beaver Dam, Ky., was driving a 1995 Dodge minivan with four passengers in tow north on U.S. 51 when she came upon the semi in flames, which was parked on the road shoulder, and called 911. During the conversation, White told the dispatcher she "had just hit the truck driver" and was pulling over.

Deputies arrived to find the truck fire fully involved, with flames burning into both lanes and making recovery of the victim impossible.

The Newbern fire department extinguished the fire enough for deputies and a DRMC ambulance crew to get to Wormuth, who was still breathing.

A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper arrived from Obion County at 3:42 a.m.

Wormuth died in the ER at 4:10 a.m.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation set up flashing arrow signs to detour traffic for the wrecker and recovery work. By 5 a.m., the left lane of the northbound road was opened, but the road was not cleared until 11 a.m.

Wormuth was driving a load of Lean Cuisine meals and Nestle Toll House cookies for Prime Inc. of Springfield, Mo.

Authorities at the scene said Wormuth may have been moving personal items from the cab of the rig away from the flames when he was fatally struck.

A small suitcase, alarm clock and hygiene items were found placed near the median grass, off the shoulder of the left lane, across the road from the Wormuth's truck.

Comments

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thats sad.the man makes it out of his burning truck only to be killed by a car.

-- Posted by tnmama on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 8:13 AM

unbelievable, you think traffic would stop at the sight of a burning truck

-- Posted by jeramy on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 10:45 AM

May GOD comfort all on both sides of this feak accident.

-- Posted by different/visons/12 on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 1:26 PM

My prayers go out to the family of this man. May God Bless each and every one of you.

-- Posted by DEJ01 on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 3:08 PM

Thank you, all for your prayers and concerns, Chuck was a loving cousin and uncle....your comments even 6 states away were very warm and comforting........with love Family of Driver

-- Posted by garfieldlover76 on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 3:57 PM

what was the driver's name????

-- Posted by tnmama on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 4:07 PM

Agreed, that is a sad situation.

-- Posted by opinionated on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 7:28 PM

-- Posted by flowergirl on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 10:36 PM

I drove past the semi at about 5:45am on my way to work and they let me pass, and it looked awful. My prayers go out to all involved. Its very tragic.

-- Posted by dburg35 on Sat, May 31, 2008, at 11:19 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him.

-- Posted by crazycat on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 12:21 PM

Our family is so very sorry for your loss,our hearts go out to you!

-- Posted by butterflyrain on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 2:39 PM

what a terrible sight this is. i am so very sorry for this man and his family. what a horrible way to go. may God bless and touch each and every one of your lives not only in this time you are in need of comfort, but always. God bless you all.

-- Posted by katyboo on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 6:34 PM

driver of car should paypaypay

-- Posted by dburgscoundrel on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 8:18 PM

Although the driver of the van was trying to do a good deed by calling 911, this just shows how dangerous it is to be distracted by talking on a cell phone while operating a vehicle.It only takes a second to change lives, including your own.

-- Posted by nurselady on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 9:19 PM

chuckie was a great friend and he will be sadly missed by all of us..i have known him for 24 years and i am glad to have called him friend ...thanks for all your prayers even though you didnt know chuck it is greatly appreciated

-- Posted by descoteaux73 on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 10:53 PM

Why was the truck driver standing out in the middle of the interstate?

-- Posted by Nat on Sun, Jun 1, 2008, at 11:36 PM

What a horribe, incredibly sad accident. Dear God-the man was working. such atragic way to go. my heart and prayers go out to this man and his family and friends. God Bless you.

-- Posted by faith,hope,love on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 12:23 AM

Ok, here is the truth to the story. The driver of the mini-van WAS NOT talking on the cell phone when the accident happened. The driver of the semi had stepped back in order to spray the fire exstingisher and he stepped in the line of traffic. This was a horriable horriable accident. Please, do not blame either one of the drivers for what has happened. Just Pray for families of both drivers as they both have a great deal of worry and heart break to deal with at this time.

-- Posted by clevergirljc on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 8:55 AM

It is a terrible for all involved and my prayers go out for all. The line of traffic should have been on the left side of the road. Anytime there is a vehicle on the shoulder, ALL drivers should slow down and get over into the left lane. This was so tragic because it was avoidable.

-- Posted by iseestupidpeople on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 11:15 AM

well my prayers go out to the trckers family,my spouse is a truckdriver and i know how it is so go in peace,youll be in our prayers

-- Posted by blabbermouth on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 12:15 PM

just got threw readfing the article again although a sad situation it has to be said the first 911 call went in at 241 he was pronounced deceased at 410 excuse me but that is a little over an hour the pour man laid there that long he might have been able to be saved ...........

-- Posted by blabbermouth on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 4:51 PM

Blabbermouth, please don't make comments on things that you don't know anything about. The man was initially too close to the flames to be retrieved safely, but once he was I personally know that our EMS personnel did everything they possibly could to save this man. As far as the time of pronouncement, that has to be done by a physician and so he was pronounced ONLY AFTER EMS had performed CPR on this man for quite some time in the effort to save his life. I just want the family to know that they have our deepest sympathy for their loss.

-- Posted by justagirl08 on Mon, Jun 2, 2008, at 11:46 PM

well i personallyknow some facts to and i know that they did all they could but i know for a fact... that they could have done more his family is in my prayers and i am grateful for the actions of all that was involved in the rescuing efforts

-- Posted by blabbermouth on Tue, Jun 3, 2008, at 11:43 AM

You say they could have done more....that makes me curious as you might not know how you would react or even act when put in that same situation. In a perfect world yes I guess they could have but we all know that the world and situations are not perfect.

-- Posted by justagirl08 on Tue, Jun 3, 2008, at 8:24 PM

not saying they r perfect either but just to let you i HAVE been in this very same situation 3 years ago in tn. just different roads and haveing worked in the medical field and as a emt and believe the job aint nowhere easy but from experince i know now thanks for the comment but i have to be with he family

-- Posted by blabbermouth on Tue, Jun 3, 2008, at 11:12 PM

blabbermouth- i don't understand your comment- however let's not focus on what the emt's could have and should have done, this family is at a great loss- as well as his friends, co-workers, etc. Let's just all focus on that- let's give them all our sympathy and prayers in this desperate time of need. GOD BLESS each and every one of his family members, friends, and co-workers- you are in my prayers and thoughts.

-- Posted by DEJ01 on Tue, Jun 3, 2008, at 11:21 PM

GOD bless

-- Posted by Holly1313 on Fri, Jun 6, 2008, at 11:00 AM

I only met Chuck three times but, I an a good friend of one of Chuck's friends of 24yrs. My prayers go out to Chuck's Family and friends.. This is a terrible situation that may have been avoided if all drivers were educated on what to do in the event of such a sittuation..I think passing a Law and educating people on how to react in the event of approaching a accedent scene could save future lives..I would not know where to start to set such a Law in motion but I do feel that if all passing drivers were held accountable in a sittuation such as this it would most likely be avoided..You would think,Common sense to slow down and or stop(when safe) and move away from the scene in a safe manner would come to mind to a person.We need to educate people to avoid this from happing to anyone..I don't have the facts on this accedent and I am in noway putting blame on anyone and pray for both sides.Our roads are getting more crowed every year so passing a Law and educateing people should be part of the course..We must do what we can to make our roadways as safe as possible for all..God Bless

-- Posted by skochjar on Mon, Jun 9, 2008, at 1:40 PM

i will blame no one but seems to me that when ppl come up on an accident that one should slow or at least get as far away from scene as possible.there is a law when police have someone stopped to move over or if you can't move over slow way down.i talked to a fireman who was at the scene and was told the lady was going fast but the trucker walked back into her car's path.maybe they should lower speed limit back to 55 miles per hour.

at any rate GOD BLESS THE TRUCKERS FAMILY AND GOD BE WITH THE LADY.

she must feel terrible

-- Posted by ran66 on Tue, Jun 10, 2008, at 6:27 AM