Truck Driver Involved in Fatal Accident in Ohio
An Uzbek truck driver admitted to the U.S. through a diversity visa lottery was involved in a fatal accident in Ohio. The incident led to the death of Tobias “Toby” Forsythe, a college soccer goalkeeper. Reports indicate Bekhzod Asrarov, 42, crashed into the back of a vehicle on Interstate 71 in Madison County, leading to the tragedy.
Forsythe, 21, played for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. When authorities arrived at the scene, Asrarov attempted to destroy evidence by smashing his dash camera, three phones, and his logging device.
Communication Challenges
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers experienced difficulties communicating with Asrarov, who used Google Translate for assistance. Despite holding a commercial driver’s license from Ohio, he struggled with English, raising questions about language requirements for truck drivers.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy emphasized, “We cannot let truckers like Asrarov, who can’t read our road signs or speak to law enforcement, drive 80,000-pound rigs on America’s highways.”
Impact on the Community
Forsythe’s death has deeply affected the UMass Lowell community. He was remembered as a determined athlete who joined the River Hawks in 2026. UMass Lowell athletic director Lynn Coutts expressed the department’s grief, highlighting Forsythe’s significant impact in his short time at the university.
Head coach Kyle Zenoni praised Forsythe’s dedication, noting his continuous effort to improve his skills on the field. Zenoni stated, “He never looked for shortcuts and never expected anything to be given to him. Our hearts are with Toby’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Efforts to Improve Road Safety
The accident has reignited discussions on road safety, particularly concerning non-English-speaking truck drivers. Under the Trump administration, efforts were made to revoke commercial driver’s licenses from drivers lacking English proficiency, citing their potential danger on roads.
In related incidents, concerns about road safety continue as similar accidents involve foreign nationals unable to communicate effectively with local authorities. Such cases have prompted calls for stricter language requirements for drivers operating heavy vehicles across the U.S.