Deadly Indiana Truck Accident Linked to Unlicensed Driver
An Indiana man lost his life Wednesday due to a head-on collision involving an unlicensed semi-truck driver who allegedly entered the state illegally.
This tragic accident has surfaced amidst growing scrutiny within the trucking industry, particularly regarding the rising number of foreign commercial driver’s licenses that have been issued to individuals from outside the country. There are serious concerns over some foreign drivers not meeting the necessary English proficiency requirements, stirring fears about the implications for road safety and even national security.
According to reports, Borko Stankovic, a 41-year-old undocumented immigrant from Serbia and Montenegro, was moving east along Route 20 in Portage, Indiana. The incident happened when he didn’t slow down for a van that was waiting to make a left turn. In a desperate attempt to avoid hitting the van, Stankovic abruptly turned left, which led him into oncoming traffic where he collided with a Subaru Crosstrek going west, the police stated.
As a result of the crash, Stankovic’s truck jackknifed, causing the trailer to slam into the back of the van, which then struck a road sign. Thankfully, the driver and a passenger in the van received treatment but were released at the scene. Tragically, the driver of the Subaru, identified as Jeffrey Eberly, 54, succumbed to injuries on the spot.
Reports indicate that Stankovic was driving without a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). Moreover, his trucking company had not been registered with the Department of Transportation. Attempts to reach the Department of Transportation to verify his business registration have been made.
Interestingly, Stankovic was found to be in possession of a suspended Illinois CDL that belonged to a family member, rather than his own valid license. The Indiana Department of Transportation has no records indicating that he was registered as a driver.
The Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, commented that Stankovic “spoke broken English,” underscoring ongoing issues with language proficiency among foreign drivers.
Duffy expressed his determination, stating, “This is exactly why President Trump and I are working diligently to take dangerous foreign drivers off our roads, and we will continue to do so.”
Stankovic now faces serious legal repercussions, with charges including reckless homicide and criminal recklessness filed against him.
Further complicating his situation, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken Stankovic into custody, revealing that he has overstayed his visa since February 2011.
Prior to this incident, Stankovic had been arrested in Nassau County, New York, back in 2018 for resisting arrest and other charges, accruing fines for damaging property.
A spokesperson from ICE highlighted the gravity of Stankovic’s situation, reiterating that his lack of a valid CDL and his undocumented status put public safety at risk. They are continuing efforts to ensure that undocumented truck drivers are removed from the highways.
