Docs: Semi driver awake for 21 hours caused crash that killed Delaware Co. sheriff’s corporal

MUNCIE, Ind. -- A semi-truck driver fighting to stay awake reportedly caused a crash that led to the death of Delaware County Sheriff's Deputy Corporal Blake Reynolds. According to court documents filed on Monday, formal charges were filed against 39-year-old Teddy Johnson in relation to the fatal crash. Johnson was charged by the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office with: According to previous reports, Reynolds was killed after his patrol vehicle was struck by a semi truck on I-69 northbound near Yorktown. At the time, Reynolds, a three-year veteran with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, was helping a disabled semi on the shoulder. The release said that Johnson was taken into custody on Monday by troopers with the Indiana State Police. Johnson is being held in the Delaware County Jail without bail, pending further order of the Delaware County Circuit Court No. 5. In the early morning hours of Nov. 12, 2025, a semi truck was involved in a crash on I-69 northbound in Delaware County, which resulted in the right lane of the highway being blocked. Reynolds was the deputy from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office who responded to the crash. Johnson, the driver of another semi-truck, was traveling on I-69 northbound in the right lane. The documents claim that the footage from inside Johnson's truck showed that the emergency lights from Reynolds' vehicle were "clearly visible" from the road. “Despite Cpl. Reynolds’ emergency vehicle’s red and blue lights, Johnson failed to yield by means of moving over into the adjacent lane to the left as required by law," the documents said. "The left lane was free from obstruction and other vehicles…There was no traffic prohibiting Johnson from moving over into the left lane.”  One second or less before the crash, Johnson "abruptly and unsuccessfully steered to the left" to avoid the vehicle. At that time, Johnson was reportedly traveling around 61 mph. Johnson's vehicle struck the left rear of Reynolds' vehicle. At that time, Reynolds' vehicle was pushed forward. The documents said that Johnson's semi-truck then struck the other truck that was blocking the right lane. This collision ultimately led to Reynolds being struck. The court documents claim that Johnson was wearing headphones and using a handheld electronic device that was placed on his right thigh. An examination of the device showed that Johnson reportedly “clicked and scrolled social media applications on the cell phone multiple times during the same time period that he was driving.” The documents also claim that Johnson was "physically struggling" to stay awake, weaving within his lane and even out of his own lane of travel. The camera inside Johnson's vehicle reportedly captured him: “He also caught himself falling asleep and shook his head back and forth as if he was trying to stay awake," the documents said. During the investigation, officials found that Johnson was reportedly awake for more than 21 hours. Johnson, who was hospitalized following the crash, claimed that he did not remember much about the incident. When asked if Johnson had ever caught himself falling asleep while driving, "he said he was 'not going to lie, I have before.'" The documents said that Reynolds' cause of death from the incident was from blunt force injuries. According to court documents, Johnson's initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning in Delaware County. Melissa and Bruce Reynolds, Reynolds' parents, provided the following statement to FOX59/CBS4, stating they are "thankful for the investigation" that led to Johnson's arrest. "We look forward to justice prevailing and being served for the careless and senseless death of our son," the statement read. "While we know nothing will ever bring Blake back or lessen the pain of losing him, we hope this process helps prevent another family from experiencing the same heartbreaking loss. In a statement from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, officials said that the preliminary charges mark a "significant step" in the case. "Corporal Reynolds was more than a deputy," the statement read. "He was a respected law enforcement officer, a dedicated public servant and a valued member of our Sheriff's Office family. His loss continues to weigh heavily on this department and this community. "While today's development cannot undo the loss suffered by the Reynolds family or this department," the statement continued, "it represents an important step toward accountability. We remain committed to standing with the Reynolds family and ensuring that Blake's service and sacrifice are never forgotten."