Underwood Driver Identified

Connecticut State Police have released the name of the truck driver who died March 20 in an accident while hauling stage equipment for Carrie Underwood’s tour.

Bobby O’Bleness, a driver with transportation company Stage Call Corp., did several tours for Vince Gill and Kenny Chesney, and had hoped to retire from the road soon.

His truck crashed in Stonington, Conn., when it went off I-95 and down an embankment. The vehicle caught fire when its fuel tanks ruptured. He was 48. A memorial for the Wichita, Kan., native was scheduled for March 30 in his hometown.

“Robert was one of the top professionals as far as getting the proper rest and doing everything legal,” Stage Call colleague Toby Ray told the Tulsa World. “You really get to know these guys when you’re on the road together, seven days week on a seven-month tour. He was an all-around good guy and a big loss.”