Smoke rose high above a fire sparked by a crash Friday night on Interstate 64 in Woodford County, Kentucky.
The family of an Ohio man killed in a fiery six-vehicle crash last year in Central Kentucky has filed a lawsuit against the estate of the tractor-trailer driver blamed for the wreck, as well as the driver’s employer, according to court records.
The lawsuit, filed March 11 in Woodford County Circuit Court, alleges that Matthew Jackson, 43, of Hamilton, Ohio, was driving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 64 in Woodford County around 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2025, when he caused the crash that killed three people, including himself. Three others were injured, and the interstate was shut down for about 12 hours.
Jackson worked for Hillsboro Transportation Company, based in Sharonville, Ohio. The lawsuit claims the company conducts extensive business in Kentucky and is responsible for Jackson’s actions.
According to the suit, Jackson appeared distracted and had exceeded federal driving time limits before rear-ending a Nissan passenger vehicle. Kentucky State Police previously said the Nissan driver was taken to a hospital in Georgetown with non-life-threatening injuries.
Jackson’s truck then continued forward, striking a Chrysler 300 and another tractor-trailer. Authorities said the driver of the Chrysler, Casey Whitlock, 50, of Georgetown, and the driver of the second tractor-trailer, John McBroom, 39, of Crittenden, died at the scene.
A passenger in the Chrysler 300 was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Hospital, according to the lawsuit.
Investigators concluded that Jackson did not brake or slow down before hitting the Nissan, leading to the chain-reaction crash.
A relative of McBroom filed the lawsuit against Jackson’s estate and Hillsboro Transportation Company, alleging that Jackson was fatigued and that the company is “vicariously liable” for his actions.
The lawsuit further claims Hillsboro failed to ensure Jackson complied with federal driving regulations, monitor his driving history, and properly train him.
“Hillsboro Transportation Company had a responsibility to the public to ensure its drivers were properly trained, monitored, and fit to operate a commercial vehicle,” said Tad Thomas, an attorney with Thomas Law Offices representing McBroom’s family. “That responsibility was not met, and John McBroom paid for it with his life.”
The suit seeks unspecified damages for McBroom’s pain and suffering before death, funeral costs, lost future wages, as well as punitive and compensatory damages. A motion hearing is scheduled for April 8.
More details about the crash
The lawsuit states that traffic on the interstate had slowed due to a construction zone on the evening of the crash, forcing McBroom to stop completely in the right lane.
Although warning signs about the construction and traffic conditions were in place, the suit alleges Jackson continued at high speed and failed to maintain a safe following distance before causing the collision.
The impact forced the Nissan and Chrysler 300 off the road, where they overturned. The crash between the two tractor-trailers triggered a massive fuel fire that engulfed both vehicles, trapping McBroom inside his cab.
McBroom suffered severe thermal injuries to about 90% of his body and could only be identified through dental records, according to the lawsuit.
He also sustained multiple blunt force injuries, including a skull fracture and numerous fractures to his arms, hands, and ribs. The intensity of the fire prevented first responders from rescuing him.
“John McBroom was a 39-year-old man who left for work that day and never returned home,” said Eric Kiser, another attorney representing the family. “He followed the law, stopped when traffic stopped, and was driving safely.
“His family is now left to grieve a loss that should never have happened.”
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