David Fischer Death Obituary: Daviess County David Fischer Killed Assisting Driver on I-165

Along a quiet stretch of Interstate 165 in western Kentucky, a familiar act of helping a stranded driver ended in tragedy.

It happened just before sunrise on March 11 near the Daviess–Ohio County line. David William Fischer, a 71-year-old tow truck operator from Owensboro, had pulled over to assist a disabled semi. His emergency lights were flashing — a signal meant to protect both him and passing drivers.

But in a matter of seconds, that protection failed.

Authorities say a southbound semi drifted too close to the shoulder, striking Fischer and sideswiping the vehicles. The impact was devastating. Fischer was pronounced dead at the scene.

What followed deepened the shock. The driver of the semi did not stop, setting off a hit-and-run investigation that stretched for hours. Eventually, troopers located 32-year-old Suk K. Subba in Ohio County, where he had pulled over. He was taken into custody and now faces several serious charges, including manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

For those who knew Fischer, the loss is personal. He was more than a tow operator — he was someone people relied on in moments of stress and uncertainty, a steady presence along the roadside for decades.

His death is now a stark reminder of the dangers faced by roadside workers every day. Authorities continue to urge drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles — a law designed to prevent exactly this kind of tragedy.

The family will release obituary, memorial, funeral, and visitation arrangements at a later time. Until those details are confirmed, some information may remain subject to change, and this report will be updated as additional facts become available.