On April 11, 2026, a routine drive on Interstate 71 in Delaware County, Ohio, turned catastrophic. A tractor-trailer operated by Modou Ngom failed to brake before slamming into the rear of a Chevrolet Silverado, triggering a chain-reaction collision that killed three members of the Soposki family – Lynnea, 36, a veterinarian; her husband Luke, a chemist, and their 1-year-old child Logan. Several other people were also seriously injured.

Among the survivors was Alyssa Harris from Galena, Ohio. Her story is both heartbreaking and remarkably inspiring.

Trapped in a Burning Vehicle

Harris was sitting in traffic when the accident happened. Her car started to catch fire. With a broken leg, damaged meniscus, fractured wrist, injuries to her neck and carotid artery, she managed to use her good leg to open the passenger door and escape from the flames. A kind stranger helped her to get to safety.

“It’s a miracle that she survived,” said Mark Kitrick of Kitrick, Lewis & Staley-Sladek Co., L.P.A., who represents Harris and her husband Nathaniel in a personal injury lawsuit filed on April 24 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. “This is truly an inspiring story of courage.”

A Lawsuit Built on Accountability

The lawsuit names Ngom, 50, and his sole-driver trucking company M F W Carrier as defendants. Harris seeks monetary damages for her extensive injuries, including emergency surgery. Ngom has been criminally charged with three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and four counts of vehicular assault.

But accountability in a case like this requires more than just criminal charges. It also requires civil discovery – the legal process that allows attorneys to obtain records, communications, and other evidence that might otherwise be hidden from view.

“Without filing a lawsuit and conducting discovery, we will not get that,” said Kitrick, referring to the crucial question of why Ngom did not brake at all prior to impact.

Why Early Legal Action Matters

In serious truck accidents, it is essential to act quickly. Evidence can degrade over time, and insurance coverage issues, such as whether a carrier is adequately insured or if a policy may be invalidated by fraud, must be investigated immediately. In this particular case, authorities in Ohio have indicated that Ngom may have obtained his commercial driver’s license using an alternate identity, raising questions about both his qualifications and insurance coverage at the time of the accident.

Filing early allows an experienced attorney to preserve evidence, identify all responsible parties, and secure every possible source of compensation before opportunities close.

Representing Clients Through the Hardest Moments

At Kitrick, Lewis & Staley-Sladek Co., L.P.A., we have been dedicated to helping individuals and families who have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others for nearly four decades. Founded by Mark Kitrick in 1986 and joined by Mark Lewis in 1997, our law firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our four experienced attorneys bring 96 years of combined experience to each case, and our work has been consistently recognized by reputable publications such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

We understand that no legal outcome can undo a tragedy like that on I-71. However, accountability matters – for the victims, their families, and the safety of everyone travelling on Ohio’s highways. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a truck accident or other collision, please contact our office for a consultation today.