It started as a routine trouble‑stop: 76‑year‑old Sukanta Panda, of West Chester Township, pulled off the eastbound lanes of the Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway to change a flat tire. He was in a 2018 Lexus, along with a 71‑year‑old woman, when tragedy struck. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, the breakdown occurred just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025.
While the Lexus sat on the right shoulder, a 2021 Peterbilt tractor‑trailer barreled in and struck it, pushing both vehicles off the roadway. The sheriff’s office confirms the driver of the semi, a 59‑year‑old man, was taken to Bethesda North Hospital with minor injuries and has since been released. The 71‑year‑old woman from the Lexus was also transported to the same hospital for treatment. Panda died from his injuries a few hours later.
Investigators say all occupants were wearing their seat‑belts, and there is currently no indication that speed or alcohol were factors in the crash. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit continues to probe the incident and urges anyone with information to call 513‑825‑1500.
The highway was closed for several hours while crews cleared the scene and officials worked to determine the crash dynamics. Panda’s death was confirmed this morning by the Coroner’s office, which formally identified him.
What makes the incident especially heartbreaking is how suddenly a quiet afternoon errand became lethal. A flat tire—something many of us have faced—led altogether to a fatal chain of events. Panda, whose life had been rooted in West Chester, was gone before most of us realized how fragile things can be on the road.
The crash leaves behind questions even as it deepens the awareness: When you’re pulled over, on the shoulder, in a traffic lane—every passing vehicle, every second counts. The investigation will look into whether the position of the vehicles, lighting conditions, driver reaction, shoulder conditions or other variables played a role. In the meantime, families are left with grief and unanswered “what ifs.”
For the loved ones of Mr. Panda, there’s an empty seat at home now. For the community, a reminder that even a flat tire on a seemingly safe shoulder can turn into something far worse. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who saw something from that stretch of highway — damage to guardrails, skid marks, dash‑cam footage — to come forward. Every detail could help ensure no one else faces a similar fate.
In memory of Mr. Panda, may this road caution live on — and may all of us treat every stop on the shoulder with the serious respect it deserves.