A tragic early‑morning incident on Interstate 165 near Owensboro, Kentucky, has claimed the life of a veteran tow truck operator and prompted criminal charges against a commercial truck driver, authorities confirmed. The victim has been identified as 62‑year‑old David Fischer, a longtime wrecker technician whose life ended while performing the often‑hazardous job of helping a stranded motorist.
According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), the fatal event occurred at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, along the southbound lanes of I‑165 near the Daviess‑Ohio County line. Fischer had pulled over to assist the driver of a disabled semi‑truck parked on the highway’s shoulder, a routine but inherently risky task for roadside technicians.
While Fischer worked near the disabled vehicle, a southbound semi‑truck struck him and subsequently sideswiped both his tow truck and the broken‑down vehicle, according to investigators. Fischer was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained.
The semi‑truck that struck Fischer did not immediately stop. DCSO issued a lookout, and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office later located the truck parked along a roadway in Ohio County.
The driver, identified as 31‑year‑old Suk Subba of Antioch, Tennessee, was outside the vehicle inspecting damage when deputies arrived. He was taken into custody without injury and transported for medical clearance.
Subba now faces a series of serious charges, including second‑degree manslaughter, first‑degree wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident involving death or serious injury, and failure to yield right of way to an emergency vehicle. Authorities say these counts reflect not only the fatal collision but also his alleged decision to flee the initial crash site.
The driver of the disabled semi that Fischer was assisting was evaluated at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital with no reported injuries, and traffic on I‑165 was temporarily diverted by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to allow law enforcement and emergency personnel to investigate the scene and clear debris.
Fischer’s death has resonated deeply within the local community. In addition to his professional reputation as a dedicated and experienced technician, loved ones highlighted his personal warmth and compassion.
He was remembered for his devotion to family, including his wife Barbara and their children, and for his love of animals, especially the cats he often rescued and cared for. Many friends and colleagues described him as a man who took pride in his work and looked after others making his loss all the more poignant.
The Daviess County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and the Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement unit assisted with the inspection of the vehicles involved. The DCSO Accident Reconstruction Unit is continuing its investigation.
This incident has also reignited discussions about roadside safety, particularly the need for passing motorists to slow down and move over when emergency or service vehicles are stopped on the shoulder with lights activated. Advocates stress that such precautions could prevent additional tragedies like Fischer’s.
