Wrongful death lawsuit filed after troopers say tractor-trailer caused deadly crash

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The estate of a passenger killed in a tractor-trailer crash last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver.

Patrick Calhoun Mays, 66, died after being hit by Oleg Polishchuk of Harrisonburg, Virginia, in November. Polishchuk was traveling south in a tractor-trailer when he crashed into a Ford Focus that was stopped in the right lane because of traffic.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Polishchuk was arrested and charged with misdemeanor death by a vehicle and failure to reduce speed. He was booked into custody at the Iredell County Jail.

Patrick May’s wife, Rebecca, was driving the vehicle. His daughter was also in the vehicle. Both of them were taken to the hospital, troopers said.

The lawsuit alleges that Polishchuk “negligently, carelessly, and recklessly” failed to reduce speed, causing his tractor trailer to collide with the Mays. The lawsuit also alleges Uber Freight knew or should have known that Polishchuk failed to possess the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to transport freight and/or goods without creating a risk to others.

Due to the force of the impact of the crash, the Mays’ vehicle was propelled over 200 feet onto the sound bound off-ramp at Exit 31, the suit says.

Polishchuk was operating a 2021 Volvo tractor trailer on behalf of Uber Freight. He was the employee, agent, servant, representative, and/or statutory employee, according to the lawsuit.

Mays’ estate is seeking reasonable funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, compensation for pain and suffering, and damages in a sum that exceeds $75,000.00 from a jury.

Channel 9 has reached to Uber Freight for a response.

(WATCH BELOW: Lawsuit filed in connection to Novant security guard assault case)

Lawsuit filed in connection to Novant security guard assault case

©2023 Cox Media Group