Junction City, KS — June 13, 2025, Two people were injured following a box truck accident that occurred Friday afternoon on Interstate 70.
According to official statements, a Ford pickup truck was traveling on Interstate 70 in the westbound lanes, when for unknown reasons it rear ended a Nissan pickup which pushed it into the eastbound lanes where it was struck by a U-Haul.
First responders arrived on the scene and transported the driver and passenger to the hospital with what is believed to be moderate injuries, and it does not appear anyone else was injured. Authorities are investigating what caused the accident.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read that a pickup truck rear-ended another vehicle, which was then pushed into oncoming traffic and hit by a U-Haul, my first thought isn’t “Who’s at fault?”—it’s “What chain of events turned a rear-end collision into a multi-directional crash?” Because that kind of scenario doesn’t just happen randomly. There’s always a reason.
Rear-End Crashes Aren’t Always Simple
People often assume that rear-end collisions are open-and-shut cases—the driver in the back must have been following too closely or not paying attention. That’s a common cause, but not the only one. In this case, we don’t yet know why the Ford pickup struck the Nissan. Was the Ford speeding? Did the Nissan stop suddenly? Was weather a factor? Those are all unanswered questions that matter, especially when the consequences go beyond a simple fender-bender.
Depending on the force of the impact, a rear-end crash can become something much worse, as we saw here. When a struck vehicle is pushed into another lane—especially into oncoming traffic—that tells me the impact wasn’t minor. That kind of force suggests speed, distraction, or possibly both.
The Importance of Vehicle Data
To get real answers, investigators will need to look at more than just the skid marks. Modern vehicles—including pickups—often have data recorders that track things like speed, braking, and throttle use in the seconds before a crash. That data could show whether the Ford braked at all or whether the driver may have been distracted.
If investigators can also access phone records, dash cam footage, or surveillance video from nearby businesses, those pieces can help reconstruct exactly how and why the crash unfolded the way it did.
U-Haul Involvement Adds Another Layer
When a U-Haul is involved in a collision, that raises some specific questions about how that vehicle was being operated. Was the driver a private renter? If so, did they have experience handling that kind of vehicle? Did they have a proper line of sight or the ability to brake in time to avoid the crash? Depending on how that portion of the wreck occurred, it may be necessary to evaluate whether the U-Haul driver had enough time and space to react—or whether they were already too close to begin with.
Don’t Overlook Roadway Design and Visibility
Another factor that’s worth examining in crashes like this is the design of the roadway itself. Was there a curve, hill, or construction zone that might have contributed to poor visibility or sudden braking? In past cases, I’ve seen how simple things like a faded lane line or a missing sign can play a role in creating unsafe conditions.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s still unclear why the Ford pickup rear-ended the Nissan or what led to the Nissan being pushed into oncoming traffic.
- Vehicle black box data and phone records will be essential for determining speed, braking, and possible distraction.
- The involvement of a U-Haul raises questions about driver training, following distance, and reaction time.
- Investigators should consider whether road conditions, visibility, or layout contributed to the crash.
- Getting to the truth means looking beyond assumptions and relying on hard evidence to tell the full story.
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