Johnston County, NC — June 10, 2024, Bonney Wheatley was killed and seven were injured due to an 18-wheeler accident at around 1:00 p.m. along U.S. 70.
According to officials, the crash happened in the area of the U.S. Highway 70 and Swift Creek Road intersection.
It appears that 79-year-old Bonney Wheatley and her husband were in a vehicle said to be going eastbound along the highway. There was reportedly traffic due to a lane closure. Approaching that traffic, reports say an 18-wheeler did not slow down, crashing into Wheatley and other vehicles. As a result, Wheatley was killed and her husband had serious injuries. At least six others were reportedly injured, as well.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Right now, details suggest the truck driver is facing a charge for misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The cause of the crash has yet to be confirmed, though charges like that could suggest authorities know of some very serious mistakes. Obviously, this sort of thing is almost always avoidable, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the driver was being negligent leading up to the collision. But it’s important to know if authorities are considering more than just the driver’s actions. In a lot of crashes like this, there’s an accomplice authorities tend to overlook: the driver’s employer.
Here’s why that’s important. It’s a common issue in the trucking industry for companies to create an environment where their drivers are incentivized, allowed, or coerced to drive recklessly. For example, was the truck driver rushing to meet an unreasonable deadline? Tight schedules can push drivers to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t, such as speeding or skipping essential rest breaks, leading to fatigue and impaired decision-making. And what about the driver’s experience and training? Companies that prioritize getting trucks moving might skip vital training and background checks, leading to unqualified or reckless drivers behind the wheel. Vehicle maintenance is also critical. Did the company cut corners on maintenance to save costs? Did worn brakes or tires lead to this collision?
These factors highlight why it’s crucial to look beyond just the driver’s actions when investigating a crash. At the end of the day, authorities believe there is enough evidence to put this driver through the criminal courts. It’s not my place to comment on those specific allegations. That said, across hundreds of commercial vehicle accident cases, I’ve seen drivers face charges they absolutely deserved to face, yet their employer, who allowed or encouraged that criminal behavior, got off scot-free. If authorities put all of the focus on an individual driver, they could miss a whole company putting other reckless drivers out on the road. Anyone affected by a crash like this deserves to know all parties who harmed them are being held accountable.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us