Trucking firm had history of problems

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A small Illinois trucking company involved in a gruesome crash that killed five people in North Carolina had been cited a dozen times this year for violations, including two speeding infractions.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records show that Globe Carrier Co. of Justice, Ill., was also cited for improper lighting, brakes and other maintenance violations. Records list the company as having just one rig and two drivers.

Roumen Todorov Velkov has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after troopers say he failed to stop and slammed into a line of vehicles Sunday night on Interstate 26 near Fletcher. Authorities say a fifth person has since died and that a sixth person remains in critical condition.

Trooper Gene Williamson of the State Highway Patrol estimated that Velkov's tractor trailer was traveling at least 60 mph when he struck the line of stopped vehicles. The area was well lit, fairly straight and there was no rain on the roadway. Williamson said he saw no signs of skidmarks but that investigators were still looking at the case.

"We're not exactly sure why he didn't stop," Williamson said. "Hopefully we'll have some answers (soon)."

An attorney for Velkov did not immediately return a call seeking comment. A person at the phone number listed for the company declined to comment.

Most of this year's violations for Globe Carrier came from a January walk-around inspection in Pennsylvania. The company was cited for three lights that were inoperable, problems with the windshield and record-keeping violations. The company was cited for speeding just a few days later in Michigan, and then it was cited again for speeding in Ohio in June. Records do not reflect who was driving at the time.

The five people killed in the crash were: Theresa Seaver, 23, of Asheville; Charles Novak, 22, of Hendersonville; Amber Reed of Hendersonville; Gail Kimble, 55, of Lexington, S.C.; and Alvin Kimble Jr., 60, of Lexington, S.C.