A commercial truck driver from Uzbekistan, who entered the United States through the diversity visa lottery, is accused in a weekend crash in Ohio that killed a standout college soccer goalkeeper, sources told Fox News.
The crash happened on Interstate 71 in Madison County, where 42-year-old Bekhzod Asrarov allegedly struck the rear of another vehicle. The collision resulted in the death of Tobias “Toby” Forsythe, 21, a goalkeeper for the University of Massachusetts Lowell men’s soccer team, according to information provided to Fox News.
Sources said Asrarov, who has an Ohio commercial driver’s license, was unable to communicate directly with responding Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers and had to use Google Translate at the scene.
Those sources also alleged that when troopers arrived, Asrarov attempted to remove the truck’s dash camera and smash it. He is also accused of trying to destroy three phones and a logging device.
Bekhzod Asrarov, 42, rammed the back of a vehicle on Interstate 71 in Madison County, resulting in the death of Tobias “Toby” Forsythe, 21, who played goalkeeper for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, sources told Fox News. (Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; UMass Lowell)
According to Fox News, Asrarov came to the United States in 2024 during the Biden administration through the diversity visa lottery program.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reacted to the case on X, writing, “We cannot let truckers like Asrarov, who can’t read our road signs or speak to law enforcement, drive 80,000-pound rigs on America’s highways.”
INC News has contacted the Ohio Department of Transportation for comment.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy testifies during a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building May 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Forsythe, an economics major, joined the UMass Lowell River Hawks in 2026 after playing for Ashland University for two seasons and Shawnee State, where he started all 17 games in 2025, the university said in a news release announcing his death.
“Our entire athletics department is heartbroken by Toby’s passing,” said UMass Lowell athletic director Lynn Coutts. “Although Toby’s time as a River Hawk was cut far too short, he left a meaningful impact and will always be remembered as a cherished member of our UMass Lowell family.”
UMass Lowell head coach Kyle Zenoni said Forsythe showed up to the pitch every day to compete and improve as a player.
“He never looked for shortcuts and never expected anything to be given to him – he simply wanted the opportunity to earn it,” Zenoni said. “Our hearts are with Toby’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. We will forever be grateful that Toby was part of our River Hawk family and we will honor his memory by carrying forward the example he set.”
The Trump administration has intensified efforts to revoke the CDLs of immigrant truck drivers who are not proficient in English, calling them a danger to the road.
Most recently, a Haitian national who authorities said remained in the U.S. despite being ordered to leave was charged in the death of a Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was conducting a commercial vehicle inspection along Interstate 81 last week.
