Owensboro, KY (March 11, 2026) – Tow-truck operator David W. Fischer, 71, of Owensboro, was killed when a semi-truck struck him as he was working near the roadway on I-165.
Incident Details: According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 6:50 a.m. on March 11, 2026, in the southbound lanes of I-165 near the Daviess–Ohio County line. The initial report was that a vehicle struck a pedestrian and left the scene.
Investigators reported that David W. Fischer, a tow truck operator, had exited his vehicle to assist a disabled semi-truck on the shoulder of the highway. While Fischer was working near the roadway, a southbound semi-truck allegedly struck him and sideswiped both the tow truck and the disabled semi, causing moderate damage to the vehicles.
Daviess County Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters from Daviess County and Masonville Fire Departments, and AMR Ambulance Service discovered Fischer had died from his injuries at the scene.
Authorities later located the suspected truck driver, Suk K. Subba, 32, of Antioch, Tennessee, farther down the highway in Ohio County, where he had stopped and was inspecting damage to his truck. Ohio County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hartford Police Department officers detained Subba and secured his vehicle for evidence.
Subba was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, first-degree wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident (serious injury/death), and failure to give right of way to an emergency vehicle.
Investigation: The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the fatal crash. Officials have gathered multiple forms of evidence, including video footage and physical crash evidence, to determine how the collision occurred.
Investigators will likely review several key factors, including:
- Video evidence of the crash—Authorities say footage from the area shows the truck traveling at roughly the same speed as other vehicles but failing to move into the adjacent lane to give the tow operator and disabled semi space.
- Failure to yield to a public safety vehicle—Kentucky law requires drivers to yield or move over for tow trucks and other roadside safety vehicles displaying flashing lights. Investigators reported that Fischer’s emergency lights were active at the time of the crash.
- Commercial vehicle operation—Investigators are examining the semi-truck’s movement, positioning, and the driver’s actions leading up to the collision.
- Crash reconstruction evidence—Authorities will analyze vehicle damage, roadway markings, and impact locations to determine the exact sequence of events.
- Driver condition and toxicology testing—A blood sample from Subba was collected and sent for laboratory analysis as part of the investigation.
The results of this review will help investigators determine whether traffic laws were violated and what specific factors led to this tragic collision.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving commercial trucks and roadside workers raise serious safety and legal concerns because drivers are required to exercise extreme caution when approaching stopped vehicles and people working on the shoulder of a highway.
Kentucky’s Move Over law requires drivers to move into an adjacent lane or significantly slow down when approaching emergency vehicles and roadside public safety vehicles, including tow trucks displaying flashing lights. Authorities indicated that Fischer’s tow truck had its emergency lights activated at the time of the incident.
If investigators determine that the semi-truck driver failed to follow these roadway safety laws or acted negligently, Fischer’s surviving family members may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such claims can seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound loss experienced by loved ones.
David Fischer reportedly spent more than 50 years helping motorists in need, earning respect throughout Daviess County and western Kentucky for his professionalism and dedication. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched through his decades of service.
Source: Messenger-Inquirer March 12, 2026 and Update