Two people were hospitalized following a collision between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle Monday morning on Interstate 35 near Webster Township. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, both vehicles, a 2011 Jeep Liberty and a 2022 International semi-truck, were traveling southbound near milepost 71 when the crash occurred around 11:04 a.m. The Jeep’s driver, 18-year-old Aiden Lee Lambert of Lyle, and the semi-truck’s driver were both transported to Hennepin County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
When two vehicles in the same lane of travel collide, especially when one is a commercial truck, there are always important questions about how and why it happened.
What Investigators Will Need to Determine
A key part of the investigation will involve establishing which vehicle initiated the contact and whether either driver made an unsafe maneuver. Since both vehicles were traveling in the same direction, investigators will likely look at whether the Jeep slowed suddenly, if the semi-truck was following too closely, or if either vehicle attempted a lane change. Understanding the positions and actions of both vehicles in the seconds before the crash is essential to determine whether driver error or some other issue played a role.
Could Equipment Issues Be a Factor?
Mechanical issues can sometimes play a role in crashes involving large commercial trucks. Investigators may need to examine the semi-truck’s brakes, steering components, or tires to ensure they were functioning properly. Malfunctions that reduce a driver's ability to slow down or maintain control can create dangerous situations, especially at highway speeds. Reviewing maintenance records and inspecting the truck’s systems can help rule out or uncover any potential defects that may have contributed.
What Information Is Needed to Understand What Happened?
To piece together a clear timeline, investigators will need access to all available evidence. That may include dash cam footage, surveillance video, vehicle damage, skid marks, and eyewitness accounts. The Engine Control Module (ECM) from the semi-truck can also provide critical data, such as speed, braking, and throttle input leading up to the crash. Reviewing this evidence can help determine not just what happened, but why it happened.
Why Getting the Full Picture Requires Investigation
When a crash involves a semi-truck, even injuries labeled “non-life-threatening” can have long-term effects. A thorough investigation helps clarify what led to the collision and ensures that all contributing factors are identified. That clarity is important not just for those directly affected by the crash, but also for assigning responsibility where appropriate.