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Garbage Truck Driver in Jeffersonville Collision Took Pain Meds Before

May 25, 2010 - New reports released on Monday reveal that the driver of the garbage truck from Jeffersonville involved in the May 6 fatal 5-vehicle accident on Indiana Highway 60 had taken a prescription pain reliever and a muscle relaxant hours before the fatal truck crash. 

The Courier-Journal reports Roger E. Crum Jr., 45, the driver of the garbage truck, ingested Lortab (a pain killer) and Flexeril (a muscle relaxant) between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. The fatal garbage truck accident took place several hours later at 11:45 a.m. While the medications are prescribed to Crum, they also boast warnings that clearly state that anyone taking these medications should not drive as the medications can cause drowsiness or dizziness.

Crum told police he did not see the warning signs that construction was ahead before he realized that all the cars in front of him were stopped and he crashed into the car of Bethany Burrier, 19. The impact caused Burrier's car to slam into a flatbed truck, which then struck yet another passenger car, and that 2nd passenger car subsequently struck another garbage truck. Burrier died as a result of the accident. Three other people involved in the truck accident, including another Jeffersonville employee in Crum's garbage truck, were taken to University Hospital.

Crum is still receiving medical treatment and an inspection of the truck revealed the brakes were in good working order. No information has yet been released on any criminal charges involved in the fatal crash, but Crum did violate a city policy by not informing his supervisors that he was currently taking prescription medications.

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