In the Press

TIRE CAME FROM MICHIGAN TRUCK
TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2007, 12:57 p.m., By Meg Jones

Authorities have discovered the tire that flew off a semitrailer truck and killed a prominent Mequon doctor last week belonged to a truck from a Michigan firm.

The driver, a 66-year-old Michigan man with 33 years experience as a truck driver, told investigators he didn't realize his tire was missing until he stopped for gas in Burns Harbor, Ind. The truck has since been impounded by the Michigan state police at the request of Milwaukee County officials.

The Thursday night accident killed Krishna Chintamaneni, 55, chief of staff at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in St. Francis.

Sheriff David Clarke said in a press conference this afternoon that the '88 gray Freightliner was owned by CKC Trucking out of Macomb, Mich. After sheriff's officials got tips from citizens and the media, they traveled to Michigan Saturday, located the truck and found that it was missing a tire on the driver's side.

The search was helped by state Department of Transportation video that showed three semitrailer trucks passing by a highway camera around the time of the accident.

Once the investigation is finished, Clarke said the case will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office for possible charges.

Investigators are checking to see if the maintenance records of the truck were up to date.

"We're going over the truck with a fine tooth comb," said the sheriff.

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