A commercial truck driver was killed Thursday evening when his semi-tractor trailer and rig plowed into the rear end of a trailer being hauled by a Jeep on the St. Joseph Valley Parkway in Oronoko Township.
Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Chief Paul Toliver says that 58-year old David Schultz from Eustis, Florida died when his rig rear-ended the trailer and Jeep Wrangler shortly before 5:30 last night, Thursday, May 9th, 2019.
The accident, near the southbound 13 mile marker on the highway, resulted in both vehicles running off the roadway after the original impact, with the Jeep rolling onto its side, sliding into several trees. The front seat passenger was ejected from the Jeep. Meanwhile, the semi rolled onto its side and also struck several trees trapping the driver in the cab. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Jeep Wrangler was driven by 55 year old Ronnie Shepley-Minner, Sr. from Mishawaka, Indiana. He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was admitted to Spectrum Health Lakeland, while his passenger, 26 year old Ronnie Shepley-Minner, Jr., who was thrown from the vehicle, also sustained non-life threatening injuries but was treated and released.
Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police were assisted at the scene by the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Fire Department, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Tactical Rescue Team from the 5th District and Medic 1 Ambulance.
The crash remains under investigation by the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Twp. Police Department and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Accident Reconstruction Unit. Chief Toliver says Further information may be made available after confirming data and evidence is processed and reviewed.
The aerial photo of the scene accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department.
