Both Amazon and the small trucking company connected to the truck driver in the recent deadly wreck on Interstate 75 are denying responsibility for the incident. 

65-year-old Joseph Antionier is facing more than a dozen charges, including 2 counts of reckless homicide, several counts of felony reckless endangerment, and reckless aggravated assault for a May 11th crash on I-75 in East Ridge, Tennessee. Two men were killed and two children were among those seriously hurt in the 7 vehicle crash that ended in a fiery explosion. 

According to News Channel 9, Antionier was driving “recklessly” in the minutes before the crash. On Thursday, May 15th at 1:45 a.m. he posted 10% of his $165,000 bond. 

Antionier was driving for Florida based Valparaiso Trucking Corp. as a contractor for Amazon at the time of the wreck. Amazon has been denying responsibility for the driver’s actions since the incident, pointing out that Antionier did not work directly for Amazon. Valparaiso Trucking Corp owner Wisner Florestant also spoke out on Wednesday, May 14th, denying responsibility for the accident. 

Florestant says that he employs seven truck drivers, who are all owner operators. He says none of the owner operators working for him have serious violations on their record, and insists his company does not have a history of crashes. News Channel 9, reports that Valparaiso Trucking Corp, has been cited for several violations by employees in 2025. 

Florestant says that Antionier is “not a rookie” and is “a grown man who’s been driving for years” who should hold sole responsibility for his own actions. He adds that he is cooperating with investigators, is doing his “due diligence,” and has been unable to speak with Antionier or get in contact with his family. 

Antoinier is scheduled to appear in East Ridge Criminal Court on Tuesday, May 20th.