Drew Cookenmaster Killed in Truck Accident near Elizabethtown, KY

Hardin County, KY — February 16, 2026, Drew Cookenmaster was killed in a truck accident at about 9:45 a.m. on Interstate 65 near the Bullitt County line.

Authorities said a northbound vehicle collided with a semi-truck near mile marker 103 as traffic slowed due to an earlier crash.

Vehicle driver Drew Cookenmaster, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash northwest of Elizabethtown, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Hardin County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a crash like this, the first questions that come to mind are simple: How does this happen on a major interstate in the middle of the morning? If traffic was slowing because of an earlier crash, why didn’t everyone stop safely? And are we getting the full picture?

The initial reports leave a lot of important unanswered questions.

It’s not clear whether the semi-truck was already slowing with traffic or had come to a complete stop. That distinction matters. If the truck was moving with the flow of traffic, investigators will need to determine whether the driver reacted appropriately to the slowdown ahead. If the truck was stopped or stopping, then the focus shifts to visibility, warning signals and whether the following vehicle had enough time and distance to avoid a collision.

We also don’t yet know the point of impact. Did the passenger vehicle rear-end the trailer? Did the truck change lanes as traffic compressed? Depending on how and where the vehicles made contact, very different questions arise about responsibility.

In any serious truck crash, the evidence inside the truck often tells the real story.

Modern semis are equipped with engine control modules, the truck’s “black box.” That data can show speed, braking, throttle position and sometimes whether cruise control was engaged in the seconds before impact. If traffic was slowing, the ECM data should show when the driver first applied the brakes and how forcefully. If there was a delay, investigators will want to know why.

It’s also important to determine whether the truck had forward-facing or in-cab cameras. Many fleets use them. Video can confirm traffic conditions, following distance and driver attentiveness. Without that footage, we’re left relying on statements that may or may not capture the full sequence of events.

Another key question is distraction. Was the truck driver using a phone at the time? Cell phone records can answer that. In my experience, those records often become central in determining whether a driver was focused on the road as traffic conditions changed.

Of course, the truck driver isn’t the only potential focus. If traffic was backing up due to an earlier crash, was there adequate warning? Were hazard lights activated? Were there proper signals from other vehicles? While passenger vehicle drivers must maintain a safe following distance, commercial drivers are trained to anticipate sudden slowdowns, especially on busy interstates like I-65.

We also don’t yet know anything about the trucking company. How was the driver trained? What is the driver’s safety history? Was the driver operating under any time pressure? Those questions aren’t accusations; they’re part of a thorough investigation. In past cases I’ve handled, company policies and oversight have played a larger role than people initially assumed.

Right now, authorities have said the crash is under investigation. That’s appropriate. But a complete investigation in a commercial truck crash goes well beyond a basic police report. It involves preserving electronic data, reviewing maintenance records, examining driver logs and, when available, securing video evidence before it disappears.

Without that evidence, people are left to guess. With it, the sequence of events becomes much clearer.

Key Takeaways

• It’s not yet clear whether the semi-truck was moving or stopped as traffic slowed, and that distinction is critical.
• Black box data, dash cam footage and cell phone records can clarify how the truck driver responded to slowing traffic.
• The point of impact and lane positioning will heavily influence questions of responsibility.
• A thorough investigation looks beyond the scene to driver history, company policies and electronic evidence.
• Until that evidence is reviewed, major questions about how and why this crash happened remain unanswered.