Update (October 10, 2025): Authorities have identified the person killed in this accident as Alex Bussing.
Mesa, AZ — September 18, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 6:20 a.m. at Higley Road and East Brown Road.
Authorities said a semi-truck and a van collided near the intersection.
The van driver, whose name has not been made public yet, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
The truck driver was hospitalized with unspecified injuries, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Maricopa County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people hear about a crash between a semi-truck and a van that left one person dead, the first question that comes to mind is usually, “How did this happen?” That’s exactly the right question—but so far, the public hasn’t been given any answers. Based on what’s been released, we know that the crash happened early in the morning, involved two vehicles, and resulted in one fatality. But we don’t know how the crash occurred, who may have been at fault or even whether the truck was moving or stopped when the collision happened. Without that information, any assumptions about responsibility are premature.
From my perspective, this is a perfect example of why truck accidents demand more than surface-level investigation. Depending on whether the truck pulled into the intersection, ran a red light or was hit by the van, entirely different liability issues arise. But right now, none of those critical details are confirmed.
So how do we get to the bottom of it? The key lies in the kind of evidence that can’t be seen just by looking at the crash scene. Modern trucks typically have engine control modules (ECMs), dash cams and sometimes even in-cab surveillance systems. Those systems can reveal how fast the truck was going, whether the driver braked before impact and what the driver was doing in the seconds leading up to the collision. Cell phone records may also be relevant, especially if distracted driving is suspected. But someone has to request and preserve all of that evidence before it disappears.
Beyond the driver’s actions, it’s also fair to ask what role the trucking company played. Did they properly train and vet the driver? Was the driver overworked, or possibly behind the wheel when he shouldn’t have been? In a case I handled not long ago, we uncovered that a trucking company had hired a driver who’d been fired from several previous jobs and passed him through a sham of a driving test. When we presented all that to a jury, it became clear the company’s choices were just as much to blame as the driver’s.
Ultimately, there are a lot of unanswered questions in this crash, far too many to draw any firm conclusions yet. But one thing is certain: it will take a thorough and independent investigation to find out what really happened. That’s the only way to ensure that the right parties are held accountable.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s unclear how the collision between the van and the semi-truck happened, and assumptions about fault are premature.
- Evidence from the truck’s ECM, dash cams and cell phone records can provide crucial insight into the cause of the crash.
- The role of the trucking company and its hiring and training practices should also be investigated.
- A full, independent investigation is necessary to determine who is truly responsible.
- Without hard evidence, we’re left with speculation, and that doesn’t help anyone.
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