Family of tow truck driver killed on I-94 calls responsible driver 'selfish'

YPSILANTI, Mich. (WJBK) - Nader Chehadi was out doing his job Tuesday morning when he was working a bus that had broken down on the side of I-94. That's when he was hit and killed by a car on the highway. His cousin says the driver responsible will never be the same.

The Ypsilanti family is in mourning after the devastating crash on I-94 near Ann Arbor. Chehadi was killed when when the driver of an SUV made an abrupt lane change to the right, crossing all lanes of traffic, before driving onto the shoulder. The driver then tried to get back on the freeway, but hit the back of the school bus. 

Adam Salamey is Chehadi's cousin and says the entire family is mourning.

"Just a second. Just like that. It can all change. Just like that," Adam said. "For something like this to transpire, to me it doesn't make sense. the question why comes to my mind often."

Chehadi was 42-years-old and father to 2-year-old Kiki and 5-year-old Danny.

"Danny doesn't go to sleep unless he's in dads lap so I don't know if he got any sleep last night," Adam said. "They're absolutely destroyed right now. it's not fair for a mother to have to bury their son or for children to have to grow up without parents."

Chehadi was servicing the broken down school bus on I-94 near State Street he was killed. Five others were sent to the hospital. The crash is still under investigation and are unsure if alcohol was a factor. However, police say the driver, 25-year-old Andre Edwards, did not have a valid license. They also said none of the children were in seat belts.

Police say none of the three siblings were in seatbelts or child restraints when the driver of an SUV slammed into the back of a school bus on the shoulder Tuesday morning. The kids, 2, 4 and 5 years old, are all still hospitalized with critical injuries.

Witnesses said she made the abrupt lane change, skipped several lanes, and drove onto the shoulder.

Adam says she made a selfish decision.

"it's truly selfish. That woman didn't take anything into consideration besides where she had to be that day," he said. "Their lives are going to be changed forever because of her decision that day."

An adult passenger in the car suffered critical injuries while the driver is now in serious condition.

Chehadis family says the hardworking father was understanding, caring and by-the-book - especially with work.

"He did everything he was supposed to: pre-truck inspection, called the customer, threw on his lights, hazards."

Adam says three drivers have been hit by cars int he past two years. They plan to place a cross where he died.

"That's a thin white line between us and death, every time we go out there," Adam said.

The family remembered him Tuesday night at a vigil held outside Budget and Wall Street towing in Ypsilanti where 50 trucks from across the state showed up.

"We lit up the city of Ypsilanti for him," Adam said.

On Thursday, tow trucks will line up outside the mosque at the Islamic Institute of America, 26305 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights, for Chehadi. Visitation will be from Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the same mosque.