The Indiana State Police is investigating a three vehicle crash along the eastbound toll plaza located at the 153 mile marker on I-80 in Steuben County, 4 miles west of the Indiana/Ohio State Line. Officials say… Edwin Bottelman, 73, of Greeley, Iowa was behind the wheel of a semi.
Prior to the crash Bottelman was coming into the toll plaza at a high rate of speed with no evidence of slowing or braking prior to hitting two other semi’s that were in line for the toll plaza. After the first impact Bottelman then rear ended the trailer of a 2018 Freightliner that was stopped at the number three toll booth. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Steuben County Coroner. The driver of first semi-trailer struck, Issayas Gilu, 38, of Texas was not injured. Although not conclusive, investigators suspect that Mr. Bottelman may have suffered a medical problem which may have contributed to the initial loss of control. The post-crash investigation continues.