Work Visa driver involved in fatal Alabama crash faces lawsuit

Key Takeaways

• On May 6, 2025, truck driver Andrii Dmyterko caused a fatal crash while distracted by his phone.
• Dmyterko’s work visa was revoked after he was charged with manslaughter; he faces deportation.
• Victim Nancy Calvert filed a lawsuit claiming distracted and inattentive driving directly caused her injuries.

A terrible crash in Thomasville, Alabama, has brought new attention to the dangers of distracted driving and the special pressures faced by people on work visas. On May 6, 2025, Andrii Dmyterko, a 45-year-old truck driver holding a work visa, crashed his large vehicle into four cars stopped at a red light. Official reports say he was distracted by his phone at that moment. The accident killed two people and injured four others. Now, not only is he facing very serious legal trouble, but his right to work and live in the United States 🇺🇸 has also been taken away.

This event has become a warning for everyone—drivers, employers, and anyone involved with immigration. It shows how quickly things can go wrong when someone is distracted on the road. It also shows what can happen to immigrants who break the law, especially those with special permissions like a work visa.

The Crash: What Happened and Why It Matters

On that May afternoon in Thomasville, police say Andrii Dmyterko’s truck ran into several stopped vehicles. He did not even hit the brakes before the crash. Reports and charging documents confirm that he was distracted, trying to answer a call on his phone just as he hit the cars in front of him. Video evidence supports this, showing there was no sign of slowing down.

As a result, two people died, and four others were hurt. One injured person, Nancy Calvert, has filed a lawsuit against both Dmyterko and the company that employed him. She claims that his “distracted and/or inattentive” driving directly caused the crash and her injuries. Her lawsuit is just one step in a series of legal actions now facing both the driver and his employers.

The immediate aftermath saw Dmyterko charged with manslaughter, a serious crime that means causing someone’s death through reckless behavior. He remains in jail as his case moves forward. The disaster also set off investigations involving both the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which are looking closely at possible immigration and employment violations. His work visa has already been revoked, officially stripping him of the right to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸.

The Wider Problem: Cell Phones and Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is not just about phones, but phones are by far the biggest problem. More and more, accidents across the country involve drivers who are looking at or using their phones. The numbers are shocking and show this isn’t a small problem:

• In 2023, distraction-related crashes led to over 3,200 deaths in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Studies show that trying to answer a phone, especially while driving a large truck, can make a driver about twelve times more likely to crash compared to those paying full attention.
• If a driver looks away from the road for just five seconds at 55 mph, it is like driving the length of a football field with their eyes closed.

Because the risks are so high, almost every U.S. state has strict rules against certain phone use while driving. Texting is banned nearly everywhere, and commercial drivers (like truckers) usually cannot use handheld devices for calls at all. Breaking these rules can result in:

• Criminal charges (especially if someone gets hurt or killed)
• High fines and court costs
• Much higher car insurance—sometimes premiums go up by 21% just for a distracted driving citation

Commercial driver rules are even stricter. Truck drivers are expected to follow special federal laws designed to keep everyone safe. They can be removed from the road or lose their jobs for breaking these rules—even before a trial or conviction.

The Immigration Side: Why a Work Visa Changed Everything

A work visa is a type of legal permission that allows someone from another country to work in the United States 🇺🇸 for a certain amount of time and under strict conditions. It does not give the same rights as citizenship or permanent residency. People with work visas must obey all state and federal laws. If they break serious laws or cause harm, their visas can be taken away very quickly—sometimes even before a judge decides their case.

In this crash, as soon as police found clear evidence that Andrii Dmyterko’s actions (distracted by phone while driving) caused deaths and injuries, immigration authorities moved fast. His work visa was revoked, which meant losing his job and the legal right to stay in the country. He now faces the very real possibility of being removed (deported) from the United States 🇺🇸 after his criminal case ends.

This is a very important point for all immigrants: a work visa can be lost if the visa holder:

• Is arrested for a serious crime (like manslaughter)
• Breaks important public safety laws
• Is found to have lied or broken the rules under which the visa was granted

Even while investigation is happening, immigration officials can take action before courts have made a final decision.

The Lawsuit: Seeking Justice After Tragedy

The lawsuit from Nancy Calvert adds another layer to the story. Beyond facing criminal charges, Dmyterko and his employer must now answer for their responsibilities in civil court. Calvert claims she suffered severe injuries because Dmyterko was “distracted and/or inattentive” at the wheel. Her focus is not only on the driver but also on those who allowed him to drive while on duty.

Lawsuits after such crashes are common and often lead to long legal battles. Courts will look at many questions, such as:

• Did the company provide enough safety training?
• Did they check if the driver followed all traffic and safety laws?
• How liable (legally at fault) are the employer and the driver for the damage caused?

Companies that hire people on work visas must pay close attention to these cases, as they can face penalties, payouts, and tougher rules in the future.

A Close Look at the Facts

Here is a quick, clear look at the main facts of the case:

Each of these points matters for how the case will move forward and what it means for others in similar situations.

National Impact: Traffic Safety, Immigration, and Employer Responsibility

As reported by VisaVerge.com, this case is only one example of how traffic safety laws and immigration rules can overlap. When someone is killed or seriously hurt in a traffic crash, the fallout doesn’t end with just the person at fault. It ripples through families, companies, and the immigration system itself.

For Drivers, Especially Immigrants:
Everyone is reminded through this case that distracted driving has consequences that go beyond fines or losing points on a license. Work visa holders, who might already feel pressure to prove themselves, must be especially careful. Breaking laws in this way can cost their right to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸.

For Employers:
Hiring foreign workers brings many benefits, but also carries responsibility. Employers should provide safety training, monitor employees closely, and make sure drivers know the rules—both for traffic safety and for their immigration status. Failing to do this can cause legal trouble and the loss of good workers.

For Policy Makers and Enforcement:
Cases like this may push government agencies to create even stricter rules, or increase monitoring of commercial drivers—especially those on temporary visas. Lawmakers may look at how to prevent distracted driving from leading to such disasters in the future.

For the Public:
Anyone who shares the road is at risk when distracted drivers are behind the wheel. High-profile cases catch attention, but the truth is every small distraction can lead to tragedy, as this case so sadly shows.

The Unseen Pressures: Why Drivers Get Distracted

Many people wonder why drivers—especially those in charge of large trucks—take risks like using a phone. Some reasons can include:

• Pressure to stay in touch with work or family, especially if working far from home
• Long hours leading to boredom or the need to check messages during slow periods
• Not fully understanding or realizing the dangers of just a “quick glance” at a phone

Yet, as the facts show, even a moment’s distraction has serious, sometimes fatal, consequences. The law sees no excuse for it.

Laws and Enforcement: How the United States 🇺🇸 Handles Distracted Driving

Every state has its own traffic safety rules, but with distracted driving, there’s growing agreement that more must be done. Some common laws across the country include:

• No texting while driving for all drivers
• No handheld phone use for commercial drivers (like truckers) while the vehicle is moving
• High fines and possible jail time if a crash causes injury or death

If you are a commercial driver or hire drivers, you are expected to be familiar with these requirements. Learn more about distracted driving laws and rules for commercial drivers from the official Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

People on work visas are held to the same standards—or sometimes even higher ones—because their right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 depends on “good conduct” and following all rules.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects

The crash involving Andrii Dmyterko has already seen several immediate effects:

• Loss of life and serious injuries to multiple families
• The arrest and jailing of Dmyterko
• Loss of employment and visa status for Dmyterko
• A lawsuit seeking damages for victims’ injuries

But the long-term effects may reach further:

• Companies may review and update training and monitoring of foreign workers
• Insurance companies may raise rates for similar cases
• Victims and families may face years of recovery and legal proceedings
• The government may look at making changes to traffic and immigration regulations

Each of these impacts helps shape future policies and public attitudes toward work visa holders and commercial driving.

Conclusion: Key Lessons from a Tragic Day

The events in Thomasville, Alabama, show how deadly distractions can become in an instant—and how breaking rules can lead to much bigger consequences for immigrants on a work visa. From the crash involving Andrii Dmyterko, it’s clear that using a phone while driving is not just risky—but can change lives forever.

For anyone holding a work visa, remember that safety and lawfulness are not optional. Losing focus on the road brings risks not just to your job, but your entire life and future in the United States 🇺🇸. For employers, it’s important to make sure drivers understand the rules and follow them every time they get behind the wheel.

This case is a sobering reminder that no one—immigrant or not—can afford to be distracted by phone use while driving. The costs are too high, and the consequences last long after the moment is gone. Stay alert, follow the law, and always keep safety first—for your sake, and for everyone on the road.

Learn Today

Work Visa → A temporary legal permit allowing foreigners to work in the United States for a specific employer and time period.
Manslaughter → A serious criminal charge involving causing another person’s death through reckless or negligent actions, not intentional murder.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating foreign nationals’ legal status.
Distracted Driving → Operating a vehicle while paying attention to something other than driving, like using a cellphone or eating.
Civil Lawsuit → A legal action filed by one party against another for damages due to injury or loss, separate from criminal proceedings.

This Article in a Nutshell

A devastating crash in Thomasville, Alabama, highlights the grave risks of distracted driving, especially for work visa holders. Truck driver Andrii Dmyterko’s phone distraction led to two deaths, legal trouble, and loss of his immigration status. This tragedy underscores the severe consequences for immigrants who break traffic and safety laws.
— By VisaVerge.com

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• Alireza Doroudi to self-deport after detention as University of Alabama student
• Alabama House passes Senate Bill 53 on human smuggling offenses
• Alabama House Judiciary Committee backs bill targeting immigrants
• University of Alabama Student Held by ICE Moved to Louisiana Facility