Athol man dead in Highway 95 crash near Chilco Road

An Athol man died in a collision with a semi truck Thursday morning on U.S. Highway 95 near the Chilco Road exit.

Gary C. Knoblich, 58, was driving a silver 2000 Toyota Tacoma pickup shortly before 6 a.m. Ryan B. Crabtree, also of Athol, was driving an International semi south on Highway 95 just south of the Chilco exit in the right lane. Crabtree told ISP investigators that he saw Knoblich trying to pull onto the highway from the shoulder, so he moved to the left lane to let him enter the road.

Instead of merging onto the highway, Knoblich drove across both southbound lanes and attempted to use a crossover that is for use by emergency vehicles only, the ISP said. Crabtree slammed on his brakes but was unable to avoid broadsiding Knoblich’s truck on the driver’s side.

Knoblich was not wearing his seat belt and died at the scene. Crabtree, who was wearing a seat belt, was uninjured.