1 person killed, 4 injured after semi-truck plowed through the wall, in house in Mesa
MESA, Ariz. – One person was killed and four others were injured after a semi-truck collided with a sound barrier and crashed into a house in Mesa.
According to the Mesa Police Department, a semi-truck was driving east on the U.S. 60 near Crismon Road on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m., when it left the highway at Crismon, did not stop and crashed into the house.
There were ten people in the house at the time of the accident, and one of them, 50-year-old Todd Welliver, was pronounced dead at a hospital. None of the other residents sustained life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the semi-truck sustained minor injuries.
The investigation continues and impairment was not ruled out, but no charges have been filed against the semi-truck driver at this time. Investigators believe the driver may have had a medical emergency before the accident.
Police in Mesa said the accident caused a dangerous situation due to leaking fuel. The Crismon ramp on the US-60 eastbound was closed some time after the accident.
FOX 10 has learned that the truck involved in the crash was owned by a California company. FOX 10 has contacted the company, On Land Transport, for comment, but company officials have yet to respond.
Meanwhile, police officers said no charges have been filed against the driver at the moment.
Grieving family member speaks out
Man killed after hitting home
The accident took place on New Year’s Eve and the truck crashed into a house where ten people were inside at the time.
On January 1, FOX 10 spoke to Welliver’s fiancée, Ginger McDonald.
“We just started planning our future together,” McDonald said.
Welliver was in his garage at McDonald’s when the incident happened.
“Fear and stuff just started falling on me,” McDonald said.
McDonald, as well as the good friends of Welliver, were shocked. They remember the man with whom they shared so many memories.
“He was my other half. I mean, we balanced each other,” McDonald said.
“He’s just relaxed, enjoying life, living it every day, doing everything and anything for anyone,” friend Charlotte Smith said.
Now McDonald is hoping for answers as to why this tragedy happened.
“I have to live without Todd for the rest of my life now, and I do not understand why,” McDonald said.
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