Family of man killed in KY interstate crash sues driver who caused wreck
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- Family sues tractor-trailer driver and employer over Sept. 12, 2025 I-64 crash
- Lawsuit alleges driver was distracted, speeding, fatigued and didn’t brake
- Plaintiffs say employer failed to verify compliance, monitor, and train
The family of an Ohio man who was killed in a fiery, six-vehicle interstate crash last year in Central Kentucky is suing the estate of the tractor-trailer driver who caused the wreck, and the driver’s employer, according to court records.
The lawsuit, filed March 11 in Woodford County Circuit Court, claims Matthew Jackson, 43, of Hamilton, Ohio, was driving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 64 in Woodford County around 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 2025, when he caused the collision that killed three people, including himself. The crash also injured three others and shut down the interstate for about 12 hours.
Jackson worked for Hillsboro Transportation Company, based in Sharonville, Ohio. The company conducts “extensive business in the Commonwealth of Kentucky” and was responsible for Jackson’s actions, according to the suit.
Jackson appeared to be driving distracted and had worked longer than federal regulations allow before rear-ending a Nissan passenger vehicle, according to the suit. Kentucky State Police previously said the driver of the Nissan was taken to a hospital in Georgetown with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Jackson’s tractor-trailer continued forwarded and collided with a Chrysler 300 and another tractor-trailer. State police said the driver of the Chrysler, Casey Whitlock, 50, of Georgetown, and the driver of the other tractor-trailer, John McBroom, 39, of Crittenden, were pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger in the Chrysler 300 was also airlifted to University of Kentucky Hospital, according to the lawsuit.
Investigators blamed Jackson for the crash after determining he did not use his brakes or slow down before colliding with the Nissan.
A family member of McBroom filed the lawsuit against Jackson’s estate and Hillsboro. The suit claims Jackson was driving fatigued and that Hillsboro is “vicariously liable” for his actions.
Hillsboro failed to verify Jackson’s compliance with federal driving regulations, monitor his driving records and adequately train him, the lawsuit claims.
“Hillsboro Transportation Company had a responsibility to the public to ensure its drivers were properly trained, monitored, and fit to operate a commercial vehicle,” Tad Thomas, an attorney from Thomas Law Offices representing McBroom’s family, said in a news release. “That responsibility was not met, and John McBroom paid for it with his life.
The lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount of money to make up for McBroom’s pre-death pain and suffering, funeral expenses, loss of future wages, punitive damages and compensatory damages, according to the lawsuit. A motion hour hearing is scheduled for April 8.
More details about the crash
According to the suit, on the evening of the crash, traffic on the interstate was slowed due to a construction zone. The slowdown forced McBroom to come to a complete stop in the right lane.
There were advance warning signs of the construction zone and traffic conditions, according to the suit. Still, Jackson sped down the interstate and did not maintain a safe distance from the vehicles ahead of him before causing the collision.
The Nissan and Chrysler 300 were sent off the road and overturned. The collision between Jackson and McBroom’s tractor-trailers sparked a massive fuel fire that engulfed both vehicles, trapping McBroom inside the cab.
About 90% of McBroom’s body suffered extensive thermal injuries. The lawsuit says he could be identified only through dental records.
McBroom also suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including a skull fracture along with numerous arm, hand and rib fractures, according to the lawsuit. The fire prevented first responders from saving his life.
“John McBroom was a 39-year-old man who left for work that day and never came home,” Eric Kiser, another attorney from Thomas Law Offices representing McBroom’s family, said in the news release. “He followed the law, he stopped when traffic stopped, and he was driving safely.
“His family has been left to grieve a loss that should never have happened.”
