Just before sunrise on March 11, a routine roadside assist turned deadly along Interstate 165 near the Daviess–Ohio County line. David William Fischer, a 71-year-old tow truck operator from Owensboro, was doing what he had done for decades—helping a stranded driver—when everything changed in an instant.
Authorities say Fischer had stepped out of his tow truck to assist the driver of a disabled semi parked along the shoulder. His truck’s emergency lights were flashing, a clear signal to passing motorists that work was underway. But moments later, a southbound semi-truck veered too close. It struck Fischer and sideswiped both the tow truck and the disabled vehicle.
The impact was severe. Fischer suffered blunt force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 7 a.m. Investigators say the force of the collision left little chance for survival. The early morning calm quickly turned into a scene of flashing lights, debris, and stunned responders.
What made the situation more troubling was what happened next. The semi involved did not stop. Instead, it continued down the highway, triggering a hit-and-run investigation. For hours, authorities worked to track down the driver while piecing together what had happened.
Law enforcement later located the suspect, identified as Suk K. Subba, 32, of Antioch, Tennessee, farther south in Ohio County. Officials say he had pulled over to inspect damage to his truck. He was taken into custody without incident.
Subba now faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, first-degree wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury or death, and failure to give right of way to an emergency vehicle. Investigators are continuing to review evidence, including roadway markings, vehicle damage, and any available video footage.
For those who knew Fischer, the loss cuts deep. He was not just a tow truck operator; he was a familiar face on the roadside, someone people counted on in stressful moments. Friends and colleagues say he spent years helping stranded drivers across Daviess County and western Kentucky, often in difficult and dangerous conditions.
His death is a harsh reminder of the risks roadside workers face every day. Officials are urging drivers to follow Kentucky’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to slow down or change lanes when approaching emergency or roadside service vehicles. For many, it is not just a rule—it is a matter of life and death.
Images: Scene of the crash along I-165 with emergency response vehicles; tow truck with activated lights on a highway shoulder; portrait of David William Fischer; damaged semi-truck pulled over during investigation.
