A UPS driver killed when his semi-truck went off the freeway and flipped over during Tuesday night's storm was identified Wednesday by family and the shipping company.
"We are heartbroken by the loss of our driver Jeff Sutch, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends," UPS said in a statement. "Those who knew Jeff said he was a trusted friend, he took great pride in his work, and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Jeff was held in high regard and will be greatly missed."
A family member also confirmed Sutch's identity to NBC 7.
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The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but CHP investigators say Sutch, a 51-year-old from Santee, may have had trouble handling a slick, downhill curve on Interstate 15 near the Camino Del Rio onramp.
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The crash was reported just after 6 p.m. amid a light rain produced by a countywide storm. Both the cabin and the trailer of the semi-truck flipped upside down and came to rest on the right shoulder of the freeway, CHP Officer Kenneth Jackman said.
Traffic crews did not clear the semi-truck from the area until nearly 7 a.m. Wednesday. Traffic during the morning commute was impacted by the accident.
UPS also lost a delivery truck driver last October when a pilot headed for Gillespie Field flew off course and crashed into the driver's truck, and then two houses.
Steve Krueger, who was a UPS employee for more than 30 years, was doing his rounds in Santee when the twin-engine Cessna C340 nosedived hit his truck.
"Those who knew Steve said he took pride in his work, and his positive attitude and joyful laugh made the hardest days a little lighter," UPS said in a statement.
