On July 3, 2023, at 2:28 p.m. Central Daylight Time, this story was updated to reflect new information about the number of people killed.
ERWIN, Tenn. — A big rig driver is being charged with criminally negligent homicide after police say he drove his tractor-trailer through a Tennessee home on July 2 after losing control along Interstate 26.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) reports that Robenson Vertus, 41, of Connecticut, drove off the right side of the interstate, through a grassy area, striking a fence, vehicle and home.
The impact demolished the residence, injuring two and killing two, the THP said.
Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency Director Jimmy Erwin told the Johnson City Press that the truck caught fire after crashing into the home, which then set it ablaze.
Vertus received only minor injuries.
Police haven’t said what caused Vertus to lose control of his truck.
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I feel bad for the family and owners of the house.I also feel bad for the driver as my husband works for this company FFE and they push the drivers and my husband have been driving for at least 21 days or more in a row he has not had enough rest for his body to get proper rest and with his irregular schedule. FFE continues to do what they can to run the driver on recaps to get around DOT regulations. This company actually just cut their regional and local drivers pay $1200.00 a month and has not given them anything in writing nor anything referring to policy, and they cut their home time from 5 days to 4 days without informing the drivers of this change. This company FFE is a poor piss excuse for a company.