Boone County, IN — February 7, 2025, Ashley Morgan and two children were killed and three other people were injured in a truck accident at 6:30 a.m. on I.H. 74.
According to authorities, 27-year-old Ashley Morgan and three children were traveling in an eastbound Kia Soul on Interstate Highway 74 in the vicinity of State Highway 75 when the accident took place.
The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a rear-end collision took place between the front-end of the Soul and the back of an 18-wheeler. The Kia then swerved left, crossing over the center median and entering the opposing lanes of the highway. There, it was reportedly involved in a head-on collision with a westbound pickup truck. The Kia then apparently continued off of the roadway, coming to a stop after crashing into a roadside ditch.
Morgan and two of the children who had been with her in the Kia at the time suffered fatal injuries over the course of the accident and were declared deceased at the scene. The third child from the Kia and two people who had been occupants of the pickup truck sustained injuries of unknown severity; they were each transported to local medical facilities by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a passenger vehicle collides with the back of an 18-wheeler, setting off a chain reaction crash, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks often have more to them than meets the eye.
Did the truck’s speed or positioning contribute to the crash? While drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance, that assumes they have enough time to react to the traffic ahead. If the 18-wheeler was moving significantly slower than surrounding traffic, merging into a travel lane, or stopping unexpectedly, that could have left the Kia Soul’s driver with little chance to avoid impact. Investigators should review dashcam footage, GPS data, and witness statements to determine whether the truck’s position and speed were appropriate for highway conditions.
Was the truck properly marked and visible? Commercial trucks, especially in low-light conditions, must be equipped with working taillights and reflective markings so that other drivers can see them in time. If the truck’s visibility was compromised due to faulty lighting or missing reflectors, investigators should examine maintenance records to determine whether the trucking company kept the vehicle in proper working order.
Did distraction or inattention play a role? Rear-end crashes often involve some level of distraction, but that question applies to both drivers. Was the driver of the Kia fully aware of the truck’s presence, or did something inside the vehicle take their focus off the road? Similarly, was the truck driver paying attention to their surroundings and maintaining a safe speed? Investigators should review phone records, in-cab data, and other evidence to determine whether distraction played a role.
Did broader issues contribute to the crash? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are well-maintained and their drivers are properly trained in highway safety. If the company allowed a truck with poor visibility or an inexperienced driver on the road, that could be relevant to understanding why the crash happened. Investigators should examine company policies, driver training records, and any past safety violations to determine whether broader issues played a role.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.
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