Driver In Deadly Texas Pile-Up Tied To Illinois (More Victims from the Licenses for Bribes Scandal?)

CBS 2 Chicago ^ | Sep 24, 2004 | CBS 2 Chicago

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

CHICAGO (CBS 2) A deadly pile up in Texas that killed 10 people has a former Chicago area truck driver facing multiple homicide charges, and the accident may have connections to an infamous Illinois driver's license scandal.

Ten people were killed on Monday when a semi driver lost control of his rig, and created a pile-up on Interstate 75, north of Dallas.

The head-on collision ignited fires intense enough to melt metal, hinting at the horrible fate of the humans trapped inside. Ten members of two different families were killed. But the driver of the truck who crossed out of his lane and into oncoming traffic survived.

It was an incredibly violent, head-on collision, destroying a pickup truck in which three members of the Esparza family and two other men died. An SUV was also demolished and was carrying three generations of the Martin family, including a grandmother, mother and three young children.

The driver whose big rig apparently swerved out of its lane and into oncoming traffic survived. Former West suburban Berwyn resident Miroslaw Jozwiak faces 10 counts of criminally negligent homicide.

He's being held in Texas on $2 million bond amid suspicions triggered by the fact that he first got a commercial drivers license in McCook, Illinois, in 1996, when the now-defunct office was a hotbed of corruption. The office has since been closed.

Jozwiak was driving on a Florida license at the time of the accident.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of long-distance truckers paid bribes to get their CDLs at McCook, then hit the highway without the skills needed to safely operate their big rigs.

But it was the courageous McCook whistle-blower Tammy Rayner who administered at least part of Jozwiak's CDL exam, making it less likely that a bribe was involved.

Still, in those days Jozwiak would have been allowed to use a Polish-language interpreter as he took the test, and insiders say that if the interpreter was crooked and providing the answers, Rayner might have had no way of knowing.

"We are aware of the Texas truck crash. If we determine there is action to be taken, we will do so. We have nothing more to say at this time," said a spokesman from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Will Scott Turow nominate George Ryan for a Nobel Peace Prize again?

[sinanju]

Is his beatific saintliness ever going to face prosecution for his part in the licenses-for-bribes scandal or has this already disappeared down the memory hole a la Sandy Berger's pants?

[austinaero]

I lived in the Chicago area during the George Ryan reign. I was so embarassed he was a republican. He was incredibly corrupt.

This, the very same man that let 103 (or so) death row inmates go,,,because he was "disturbed" by some things he saw in their cases. There were some unfair prosecutions apparently that came to light and he just waived a bunch of them out of jail.

It's no wonder they have a Democratic governor now. As a republican, George Ryan was a total disgrace to the office.

[Kackikat]

Ryan did that as he was leaving office right? I remember that, and I was concerned that he had 103 inmates wrongly accused...too many to be correct unless all judges/juries slept during trial?

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Is his beatific saintliness ever going to face prosecution for his part in the licenses-for-bribes scandal or has this already disappeared down the memory hole a la Sandy Berger's pants

The disgraced ex-governor's trial is scheduled to begin in March.

[austinaero]

Yep, you're right. One of the bloggers had a great question, when is Ryan (if ever) going to face charges on his corruption?

I think he has been investigated,,but I can't be sure about that.

[yankeedame]

Talk about deja vu all over again!

(Cincinnati, OH:) The Cincinnati Enquirer:
Semi Bursts Into Flames, Kills Two People, Traffic Detoured

Two die in semi-truck collision
(WCPO/WCPO.com)

Semi-truck gutted by fire
(WCPO/WCPO.com)

Three trucks were involved
(WCPO/WCPO.com)

Traffic backed up on I-75 (WCPO/WCPO.com)

Reported by: AP/ 9News
Web produced by: Liz Foreman
Photographed by: 9News
Last Updated: 9/24/04 12:07:38 PM

"One lane has reopened after both northbound of I-75 near Williamstown in Grant County were closed after an early morning crash that involved three tractor-trailers and killed two people.

"Kentucky state police say a semi truck was traveling south on I-75 near the 152-mile marker around 5:30 a.m. when it crossed over into the northbound lane and hit another tractor-trailer, causing the first truck to burst into flames.

"The collision sent debris flying as far as a quarter-mile away in the rural area.

"The two people inside the burning semi were killed.

"The other driver was flown by AirCare medical helicopter to University Hospital where there's no word on his condition. Police said the man was conscious when he left the crash scene.

"Police say the interstate will be closed for an undetermined time while they investigate the accident scene.

"The accident has caused a major backup on I-75 and northbound traffic has been re-routed off of exit 144 (KY 330 Corinth) onto US 25 North -- allowing motorists to re-enter I-75 north of the accident scene. "

==========================

Considering that Illinois is only one state over from Ohio, you know, it might just be interesting to follow this story a little longer....

[meyer]

Ten people were killed on Monday when a semi driver lost control of his rig, and created a pile-up on Interstate 75, north of Dallas.

I've been on I-75 from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Tampa, Florida. I don't believe it goes anywhere near Dallas.

[Gary - Peters]

Anyone looked up the appropriate website or email addresses to the Illinois Depart. of Transportation.

Seems I'd like to voice my opinion to them directly regarding their corruption causing the deaths of citizens in other states.

The least they could do is keep their corruption and deadly transportation department practices within their own state's borders !

[COEXERJ145]

I think it was US Highway 75 and not I-75.

[Thebaddog]

I seem to remember that there was a terror link to the license for bribes scheme.

But the real story is the minister who lost most of his family in a crash and fire on I94 near Milwaukee. He followed a truck driven by one of the mopes who bought his license from Ryan and his truck lost a part to cause the fire. He never lost vigilance and justice might be served on his behalf.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Between this pile-up and the Bourbonais, IL Amtrak wreck where a licenses for bribes driver pulled in front of a passenger train, Gov. Ryan now has over 20 dead victims blood to account for.

[Texagirl4W]

This is correct. It is US Highway 75, not I-75. I live about 40 miles from where that accident happened.

[Shellback Chuck]

If you've ever driven around Chicago's Ohare airport, you'll realize all F.I.B.'s drive like idiots.

[El Gato]

created a pile-up on Interstate 75, north of Dallas

Typical CBS fact checking. Also dismissal of "fly over country". The event took place in Sherman Texas, which is north of Dallas, about 60 miles. But the highway is not "Interstate 75", it's US 75. Interstate 35 goes through Dallas, well the East branch of it does, but goes about 35 miles west of Sherman. Interstate 45 goes from Dallas to Houston, and US 75 is co-located with it at that point. But north of Dallas, it's US 75. Interstate 75 goes from Detroit to Miami. Well east of Texas.

[El Gato]

I live about 40 miles from where that accident happened

My wife lives in Sherman, and drives down that corridor all the time, including today when she drove down here to visit me in San Antonio for our anniversary. She saw the smoke from the wreck, but didn't know what it was until some of her students who drove by the wrech told her. The site of the wreck is somewhat north of the construction zone south of Sherman.

[chesty_puller]

I live about 40 miles from where that accident happened.

So do I. Small world.

[El Gato]

Just discovered that my wife also had the sister and aunt of 4 of the victims in some of the classes she teaches in her spare time.

[SteelTrap]

Yes it was US75. I drive this stretch of road every day. I passed the wreck 3 hours after it happened and the crash site was still smoldering. Terrible. Heart-breaking.

The 18 wheeler was going Northbound and crossed the median into incoming traffic. I noticed there were skid marks on the northbound side of the road where the 18 wheeler crossed the median. The area where the tire marks start are next to an on-ramp where service road traffic enters hwy75 so I suspect the driver panicked when a car pulled on to the ramp. Having seen cars enter at this ramp going at least 50mph, I can tell you it appears that the car will jump right out in front of you. Just my speculation.

5 members of a family died in the SUV (mother, grandmother, 3 children). The pickup truck was carrying 7 members of a roofing crew. 5 were killed (3 men from the same family), 2 survived.

Trucker charged in 10 highway deaths

$75 million lawsuit filed in Sherman wreck

04:09 PM CDT on Friday, September 24, 2004 By ANABEL MARQUEZ / Al Día

The family of one of the 10 victims of Monday's traffic accident on U.S. Highway 75 in Sherman has filed a $75 million wrongful-death lawsuit.

Domingo García, attorney for the family of Manuel Esparza, said Friday that the lawsuit seeks compensation for material damages and emotional distress caused by truck driver Miroslaw Joswiak; KV Trucking and KV Express, the companies that own the truck; and Eagle Express Lanes, the company that owned the trailer.

Joswiak remains in Grayson County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail, facing 10 counts of criminally negligent homicide.

García says the trucking companies failed to verify Joswiak's driving records and did not keep track of his logbook and the number of hours he had worked or slept.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit is María del Carmen Esparza and her six children.

[Texagirl4W]

According to the TV pictures, it looked like this happened on a straight part of the highway, somewhere south of TI. This is so terrible. So many prayers are needed for these families.