Dakota Hinman Killed in Truck Accident near Avian, KS

Montgomery County, KS — January 17, 2026, Dakota Hinman was killed in a truck accident at about 3 a.m. on U.S. Highway 169 near Avian.

Authorities said a Dodge Ram 1500 was traveling west on County Road 2800 when it was hit by a northbound semi-truck.

Dodge driver Dakota Ray Hinman, 34, of Parsons was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver did not seek medical attention after the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Montgomery County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a fatal crash between a pickup and an 18-wheeler, especially in the early hours of the morning, they’re bound to wonder: What really happened out there? Was the truck speeding? Did someone run a stop sign? Was fatigue a factor? These are the kinds of questions that can’t be answered just by looking at a police report or a headline.

From the limited details available so far, it appears a Dodge Ram pickup was traveling west on County Road 2800 when it was hit by a semi-truck heading north on U.S. 169. But that raises more questions than it answers. For example, how do two vehicles crossing at an intersection end up in a fatal collision? Who had the right of way? Was the truck already on the highway, or was it turning onto it?

One of the most important steps in getting answers is looking beyond the initial crash report and digging into the available evidence. For instance, was the semi-truck equipped with an engine control module (ECM), which records speed, braking and throttle data? If so, that data could help show whether the trucker tried to slow down before impact, or if they failed to react at all. Similarly, in-cab cameras or GPS logs could clarify the truck’s position and actions leading up to the crash.

Another key area involves cell phone records. If the truck driver was distracted, whether talking, texting or using a navigation app, that’s something that could have played a role in the collision. Right now, authorities haven’t released information on what the truck driver was doing at the time, which means that possibility remains unresolved.

It’s also important to look at the driver’s background. Was this someone with a clean safety record, or did they have prior incidents? What kind of training did they receive? In one case I handled, a trucking company hired a driver who had already been fired from multiple previous jobs. The company’s evaluation was so rushed and superficial that it practically guaranteed an unqualified driver would be put behind the wheel. When someone is killed in a crash like this, it’s essential to ask: Was this preventable not just by the driver, but by the company that put him on the road?

The bottom line is that a fatal crash at 3 a.m. involving a commercial truck is never simple. Until someone looks at the hard evidence — ECM data, phone records, hiring files, dash cams — we can’t say for sure what caused this crash or who should be held responsible. What we do know is that those answers won’t come from surface-level reports. They come from a thorough investigation, and that’s what the victim’s family, and the public, deserve.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear from current reports who had the right of way or how the vehicles came into conflict.
• Critical evidence — like ECM data, dash cam footage and cell phone records — can clarify the trucker’s actions.
• Driver background and training may be relevant depending on the trucking company’s hiring and oversight practices.
• Serious crashes at night often involve fatigue, distraction or poor visibility, all of which require investigation.
• Real accountability depends on collecting and analyzing the right evidence, not just accepting initial reports.