1 Killed in 18-Wheeler Accident on I-90 in Spokane Valley, WA

Spokane Valley, WA — July 17, 2025, One person was killed following n 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 9:00 A.M. on I-90.

According to reports, a vehicle was traveling eastbound on Interstate 90 when it struck a pole for unknown reasons, prompting the vehicle to pull over to the side of the road. The unidentified male driver got out of the vehicle to inspect the damage, before then running into the road where he was struck by an oncoming 18-wheeler.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found the man fatally injured and he was pronounced deceased. No other injuries have been reported, and officials have not released the identity of the motorist, or provided an update on the investigation’s status.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a fatal collision involving an 18-wheeler, the assumption is often that the truck caused the harm. But in this case, based on early reports, a man exited his vehicle after hitting a pole, then entered the roadway and was struck by the oncoming truck. That raises a different set of questions—about visibility, timing, and whether anything could have been done to prevent this outcome.

Right now, we don’t know why the man ran into the road. Was he disoriented from the initial impact? Was he trying to flag someone down or retrieve something from the roadway? Or did he misjudge how close the truck was or how fast it was traveling? Until those questions are answered, it’s impossible to know whether the truck driver had any meaningful opportunity to avoid the collision—or whether this was a situation where the driver did everything right but still couldn’t avoid hitting someone.

That’s not to say the truck’s role is irrelevant. Even in situations where a pedestrian enters the roadway unexpectedly, truck drivers are still responsible for maintaining control, staying alert, and adjusting to road conditions. The truck’s black box data may show whether the driver braked, swerved, or reacted at all in the moments before the impact. Dashcam footage—if it exists—could help determine how visible the pedestrian was and how quickly events unfolded.

In a case I handled a few years ago, a truck driver struck a man on the shoulder at night. At first, it looked like the pedestrian had stepped into traffic, but dashcam footage later showed the driver drifting out of his lane. Without that evidence, the case could have gone a very different direction.

There’s also the question of lighting and environmental conditions. Was it dark? Was the pedestrian wearing visible clothing? Were headlights on and functioning? All of that matters in figuring out whether the crash was truly unavoidable or the result of someone not taking proper care.

Key Takeaways:

• Reports suggest the pedestrian ran into the road before being struck by an 18-wheeler, but the reason remains unclear.
• Black box data and dashcam footage are critical to understanding whether the truck driver reacted appropriately.
• Pedestrian visibility, lighting conditions, and driver attentiveness all play key roles in incidents like this.
• Even when someone enters the road unexpectedly, truck drivers are still held to a high standard of care.
• A full investigation is needed before anyone can fairly assess fault or responsibility.