Update (June 26, 2025): Authorities have identified the driver killed in this accident as Brian Kelty, 47, of Golden.
Hancock County, IL — June 5, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 6:15 a.m. on State Route 336 near West Point.
Authorities said a Kenworth semi-truck and a Ford Explorer were involved in a crash near County Road 400 that left the front end of the truck in a ditch.
The SUV driver, a 47-year-old man from Golden, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Hancock County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When news breaks about a deadly crash between a semi-truck and a smaller vehicle, like the one reported on State Route 336 in Hancock County, the public often jumps to conclusions about what happened. But in my experience, the early headlines rarely tell us what we actually need to know: What caused this crash? Could it have been prevented? And who, if anyone, failed to do their job?
From what’s been reported, a Kenworth semi-truck and a Ford Explorer collided near County Road 400 around 6:15 a.m. The SUV driver was killed, and the front end of the semi-truck ended up in a ditch. Beyond that, authorities haven’t provided much detail. That leaves several important unanswered questions.
At this point, we don’t know if either vehicle crossed the center line or if one of them attempted to turn or overtake. We don’t know whether visibility, speed or road conditions played a role. Most critically, we don’t know what the truck driver was doing in the moments leading up to the collision.
To get the truth, we’d need to examine:
- The truck’s engine control module (ECM): This black box tells us things like the truck’s speed, brake use and throttle position.
- In-cab cameras, if installed: These can help determine whether the driver was alert, distracted or even asleep.
- Cell phone records: Was the truck driver using a phone or texting?
- Dash camera footage: From either vehicle, if available, to clarify positioning and timing.
- Witness statements and skid marks: These offer important clues about how the crash unfolded.
Depending on what the evidence shows, another question might arise: Should the trucking company have even put this driver on the road?
In one case I handled, a company hired a driver who had been fired multiple times for poor performance. Their driver screening involved little more than a quick drive around the block. If that’s the standard some companies are using, it’s not hard to imagine how preventable crashes like this one keep happening.
It’s not just about the driver. It’s about the systems in place, or lack thereof, to make sure drivers are qualified, rested and fit to operate 80,000-pound vehicles safely.
No one can say for sure who’s responsible for this crash until all the facts are in. But that’s exactly the point. We shouldn’t have to guess. A thorough investigation — by someone with access to the truck’s internal data, hiring records and witness interviews — is the only way to ensure that if someone failed in their responsibilities, they’re held to account.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s not yet clear how the crash happened or whether the truck driver bears any responsibility.
- Crucial evidence — like ECM data, cell phone records and in-cab video — will be key to understanding what happened.
- Trucking company practices, including hiring and supervision, may come under scrutiny depending on what’s revealed.
- Early assumptions about fault don’t substitute for a full investigation.
- Getting accountability starts with getting all the facts, not just the ones in a police press release.
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