6 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

On the early morning of April 23, 2023, a horrific crash occurred on eastbound Interstate 44 in Missouri, resulting in felony DWI charges being filed against a Michigan truck driver. James L. Gibbs, a 62-year-old from Flint, Michigan, is now facing two counts of DWI resulting in an injury to law enforcement officers and one count of failing to yield to emergency cars after colliding with a Glendale police SUV and two Missouri Highway Patrol troopers' vehicles. The crash happened at around 2:30 a.m. when the officers had responded to a 2015 Honda Pilot that had broken down in the middle of the highway. All 3 cars had emergency lights activated when Gibbs' truck came down the highway at full speed and crashed into the back of the highway patrol cars and the side of the Glendale police SUV, court documents allege.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the importance of following traffic laws and regulations. It also highlights the need to yield to emergency vehicles and to exercise caution when driving in the vicinity of law enforcement officers.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the two troopers and the Glendale officer who were injured in the crash were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All three have since been released and are expected to make a full recovery. However, the incident could have been much worse, and it is a sobering reminder of the risks that law enforcement personnel face when responding to emergency situations on our roadways.

The crash also caused significant damage to the cars involved. The semi-truck totaled both highway patrol cars, a 2020 Dodge Charger and a 2023 Ford Explorer. The Glendale police SUV had moderate damage as well. The total cost of the damage has not been released, but it is likely to be significant, given the extent of the damage to the vehicles.

After the crash, Gibbs admitted to investigators that he had taken another person's prescription drugs before driving. He also "performed poorly" on several field sobriety tests, a highway patrol trooper wrote in charging documents. Gibbs was arrested and charged with two counts of DWI resulting in an injury to law enforcement officers and one count of failing to yield to emergency vehicles. His cash-only bond was set at $100,000.

The incident has drawn widespread attention from both the media and the public, with many expressing their shock and outrage at the reckless behavior of the truck driver. Some have called for stricter penalties for those who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while others have called for greater awareness of the dangers of driving on our highways and the importance of following traffic laws and regulations.

The crash has also raised questions about the safety of law enforcement personnel who respond to emergency situations on our roadways. Many have called for greater protections for these individuals, including better training and equipment, as well as greater awareness of the risks they face on a daily basis.

Overall, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the importance of following traffic laws and regulations. It also highlights the need to yield to emergency vehicles and to exercise caution when driving in the vicinity of law enforcement officers. While the truck driver in this case is facing serious charges, the incident could have been much worse, and it is a reminder of the risks that law enforcement personnel face every day to keep our roads safe.