Waukesha, WI — June 9, 2025, Two people were killed following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 3:16 P.M. on State Hwy. 164.
According to official statements, an 18-wheeler was traveling northbound on State Highway 164, when a passenger vehicle drove in front of it in an attempt to turn onto Lawnsdale Road. After the initial impact, the car was then pushed where it struck a third vehicle that was stopped at the intersection.
When first responders arrived they found the occupants of the passenger vehicle, a woman and man aged 91 and 92 respectively, deceased from their injuries. The driver of the semi and the third vehicle were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. The identities of the deceased have not been revealed, and more details may be released by authorities in the future.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Initial Impact vs. Contributing Factors
At first glance, this crash appears to revolve around a single action: a passenger vehicle turning in front of an oncoming 18-wheeler. But even in a situation like that, where the initiating move seems clear, the real work lies in understanding why it turned out fatal and whether anything could have prevented it. The fact that the car was pushed into a third vehicle also adds complexity, raising questions about the speed, weight, and reaction time of the truck involved.
Questions About Timing, Speed, and Visibility
The report says the passenger vehicle “drove in front of” the northbound truck. But that leaves several unanswered questions. Was this a sudden move or a slow, cautious turn misjudged by both drivers? Was the intersection signal-controlled or based on yielding? What were the lighting and weather conditions at the time? Depending on those factors, the truck driver may have had little or no time to react—or there could have been more opportunity than it seems.
ECM data from the truck will be critical here. Investigators can review speed, braking, and throttle input to determine whether the trucker made any attempt to slow down. If no braking occurred, that might indicate the driver wasn’t paying full attention. In one case I handled, that exact pattern—no braking before impact—was what led us to uncover a distracted driver behind the wheel.
The Role of Age and Driver Awareness
The occupants of the turning vehicle were both over 90 years old. That doesn’t automatically imply fault, but it does make driver evaluation important. Slower reflexes, decreased peripheral vision, or simple confusion at a busy intersection may have played a role. Still, this kind of mistake doesn’t happen in a vacuum. If the intersection is poorly marked, has fast-moving traffic, or creates blind spots for turning drivers, then part of the problem could lie with road design or signage.
The Push Into a Third Vehicle
The secondary collision raises a new set of questions. How fast was the truck going at the moment of impact? How much force did it generate to push the smaller vehicle into another? In truck litigation, I’ve seen many instances where the truck wasn’t speeding by much—but the sheer weight of the vehicle created catastrophic outcomes. That’s why we often look at not just the legality of the truck’s actions, but also the physics.
Key Takeaways
- It’s unknown whether the turning car moved suddenly or if the truck had time to react—black box data will help answer that.
- The truck’s speed and braking behavior are crucial to evaluating whether the impact was avoidable or could have been mitigated.
- Age-related factors in the passenger vehicle may be relevant, but investigators must also examine the design and visibility of the intersection.
- The force of the crash caused a secondary collision, suggesting high momentum—this calls for close review of truck weight and speed.
- Determining fault in a crash like this requires a full analysis of driver behavior, vehicle data, and intersection conditions.
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