Police say John Chen died when the trash truck he was driving on Route 15 in Frederick, Maryland, went over a guard rail and into a median during the Thursday morning commute. News4’s Meagan Fitzgerald reports on the father of five.
A single father of five died Thursday after the trash truck he was driving in Frederick, Maryland, crashed.
John Chen lost control of a Mack trash truck about 7 a.m. Thursday on Route 15 south of Motter Avenue, Maryland State Police said.
Chen, who lived in Myersville, Maryland, was pronounced dead on the scene. He was 43.
He is survived by a daughter and four sons who range in age from 7 to 19. He had custody of all five children.
Chen was hardworking and upbeat, longtime friend Brent Fisk said.
"He was just a guy that would just help anybody do anything," said Fisk, who grew up with Chen in Arkansas.
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According to the initial investigation, Chen was headed north on Route 15 when he changed lanes and hit a 2005 Toyota Sienna that was parked unattended along the right shoulder. He then crossed all lanes of Route 15 and veered off the left shoulder. The truck hit a guardrail and flipped onto its side.
The investigation is ongoing.
Road conditions did not contribute to the crash, police said. Highway safety officials said engineers are working on ways to make the roadway safer.
Chen's brother will care for the children. Loved ones are raising money to help the children. They had raised more than $22,000 toward a $15,000 goal as of Friday evening.
