Who is Danny G Tiner? Truck driver who caused huge collision that killed 5 in Arizona was using TikTok during crash

2023-07-01 15:46

According to officials, Danny G Tiner, 36, 'was actively using the TikTok application on his cell phone at the time of the collision'

CHANDLER, ARIZONA: A semi-truck driver has been arrested and charged after he caused a six-vehicle collision resulting in the death of five people while he was busy on TikTok in January. Danny G Tiner allegedly crashed his truck into two other vehicles on the busy I-10 in Chandler. This led to the two cars ramming another semi-truck and two other cars just past the Chandler Boulevard exit. The two cars that were crushed, burst into flames, killing five people. The 36-year-old is now reportedly facing a number of charges, including numerous counts of manslaughter.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Tiner “was traveling 68 mph in the posted 55-mph construction zone and was actively using the TikTok application on his cell phone at the time of the collision.” The charges against him are five counts of manslaughter, four counts of endangerment as well as one count of tampering with physical evidence.

Who is Danny G Tiner?

Tiner caused the death of five people — Gilberto Franco, Ryan Gooding, Andrew Standifird, Willis Thompson and Jerardo Vazquez. On Thursday, June 29, he was arrested for his alleged crime before being slapped with charges.

In January, DPS Capt Keith Gephert said, as per the Daily Mail, “This road is a straight road. You can see for miles, and the traffic wasn't that heavy at that time to where you couldn't see ahead, and it was dark when it happened, so you got brake lights that you should have been able to see for quite some time.”

‘It’s so hard for me’

Following the tragedy, Tondra Doss, Willis' widow, told AZFamily, “I just went into shock. Then I passed out. It’s so hard for me. I swear it’s so hard for me.”

Doss' lawyer, John Kelly, said, “This type of accident should not happen. The more we look at trucking accidents, the more we look at, was the driver’s fault or does it go back further to the company and what the company does to lay the groundwork for safety.”

Satndifird's mother, Sarah, said, “Out of the whole accident, his wallet was the only thing that survived it. And I had to send over his dental records so they can identify him.” His wife, Athena Dubberstein, added, “When you lose someone unexpected like that, it’s not real; it’s not real. You are waiting to wake up, and you don’t wake up.”