ROCHESTER, Minn. — UPDATE (May 7): The Southern Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that the 63-year-old driver involved in the incident died by suicide due to two self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head.
After a semi-truck vehicle inspection lasting about an hour and 45 minutes in Minnesota, the driver of the vehicle took two self-inflicted gunshots to the head. The driver was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An investigation of the incident is being conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Rochester Police Department.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, troopers assigned to the Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle unit stopped the semi-truck for an inspection at Rochester’s Miracle Mile shopping center parking lot around 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5. At about 8:30 a.m., troopers attempted to detain the driver for failing to produce identification.
The inspection took place during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck, an initiative during which law enforcement steps up inspections of commercial motor vehicles. It is not clear whether this particular inspection was related to the road check.
Audio from a 911 call placed after the gunshots was released on local media outlets.
“He just shot himself, he just shot himself,” said one caller. “Get medical coming, get medical coming.”
“He looks like he’s slumped over,” another caller said.
“Can you see inside the cab at all through a freeway camera?” one caller asked dispatch.
“There’s signs in the way for that,” dispatch responded.
The Rochester Police Department said no troopers fired their weapons or were injured. The troopers conducting the inspection are currently on paid administrative leave.
An investigation is now underway by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Rochester Police Department. The BCA and Minnesota State Patrol were contacted for more information but did not respond to comment requests.
Anyone in crisis or who needs help is encouraged to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. The Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
We pray for the family. They really don’t know how hard it is to be a truck driver you go to get loaded they make you late now you got reschedule and this is for the next day. Now you don’t get payed for this that’s not half of the problem that’s why you don’t have enough drivers people need money just like the brokers. The driver doing all the work and making no money.
That’s a shame for the family. They should make all businesses stay open 5 days a week and 24 hours a day then no matter what when u get there moving legally they can unload or load you no appointments. It’s not a Drs office ps y do they hold drivers responsible for the mechanics neglect. People today are worthless.
This is so sad. I pray for the family, and all that are involved.
Is to many things come through again the driver, Everybody get pay for his time except the truck driver, for every load 2 hour plus free for pick up and 2 hour plus free for delivery.
The customer paid but the broker keep the money.
And nobody care.
Some state trooper, when they no have job come to the weight station bother with truck driver.
No enough truck packing all over.
No driver Shower, No room for driver, no food, no bathroom and no parking in the mostly company we make pick up or delivery.
All that things make the driver Sad 😥 and feel no hope.
So he shot himself…2 times?.. in the head?..did I read that right?..yea. Minnesota police are now lying their asses off. They don’t want to be sent to jail!
I was thinking the same thing. How did he get the second shot off?
Totally agree with you. Nowadays you can be kill with or without a reason.
I heard one time from some troopers saying, Comply or Die… Then they started laughing, after 16years on the road my Anxiety is super high dealing with them but if you tell someone all they say is toughen up and keep on trucking. I look forward to the day when I’m done with Trucking just so I don’t have to deal with the police state we live in so much.
How do you shoot your self in the head twice ? Sounds like he had help.
2 Shots to the head, sounds Real Fishit to me.