Truck driver identified, facing charges in fatal I-75 crash

UPDATE: We are learning more from witnesses who saw the immediate aftermath of the tragic Mother’s Day crash on I-75 in East Ridge.

Dawn Schwartz says her family was traveling just behind when they noticed the initial explosions.

She described, “I was looking ahead on the road, seeing how light traffic was, and all of a sudden noticed a puff of smoke.”

Meanwhile, good samaritans like Chuck Staubs say they sprung into action immediately to save whoever they could.

He in particular attended to a white Jeep that had caught on fire, which an East Ridge affidavit says the driver died, and a 7 year old girl and 18 month old infant suffered burn injuries.

Staubs recalled, “It was like a bomb going off… The first thing, when I got to the Jeep, you could see the infant in the car seat, it was pinned to the roll bar, and like I’m screaming “We’ve got to get this kid out!”, and I ripped the car seat out.”\

This crash has raised frustrations on the design of the interstate junction that some blame for the crash.

East Ridge Police Chief Clint Uselton said, “This could’ve happened anywhere on any section of interstate, it’s simply that at that time, on that section of interstate there was a slowdown and indications are that truck did not slow down.”

He says this crash is a reminder of how critical every moment is on the road.

Chief Uselton said, “We preach that when you are operating a vehicle, that is the most important thing you are doing, that is your job.”

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(UPDATE 5/12/2024):  EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The truck driver involved in the fatal I-75 crash on Sunday has been identified.

East Ridge police confirmed to News 12 that the driver was 65-year-old Joseph Antoinier.

Antoinier currently faces the following charges:

• Reckless Homicide (2 counts)
• Felony Reckless Endangerment (7 counts)
• Reckless Aggravated Assault (3 counts)

Around 5:20 p.m. Sunday, May 11, 2025, authorities responded to a multi-vehicle crash on I-75 with entrapment.

Upon arrival, authorities found six passenger vehicles and one semi-truck involved in the crash.

Officers also found a white Jeep and white Ford pickup truck fully engulfed in flames.

According to the affidavit, fire personnel extricated three occupants from the Jeep:

• A woman with lacerations on her face
• The woman’s 7-year-old daughter who had sustained burns to her leg
• An 18-month-old child with severe burn injuries

All three were transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.

The drivers of the white Jeep and white Ford pickup truck were pronounced dead on scene.

Eight patients in total were transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

Witnesses on scene told authorities Antoinier was driving erratically prior to the incident.

Video evidence revealed Antoinier was traveling at a high rate of speed and didn’t break as traffic slowed.

He was also transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Upon medical clearance, Antoinier was arrested and taken into custody.

“This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those involved. We’re cooperating with all investigations.”

–Amber Plunkett, Amazon spokesperson

Amazon confirmed that the carrier involved in the crash was apart of their Relay Program.

“Amazon Relay is our online portal that allows authorized third-party carriers to haul freight loads on behalf of Amazon.  This enables thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses to pick up freight on their schedule.  Whether it be one-off loads or more frequent, Relay offers flexible options for third-party carriers. We have rigorous safety criteria for carriers, and suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and would be intentionally misleading.”

–Amber Plunkett, Amazon spokesperson