UPDATE (February 18, 2026): News reports have recently been released which state that the woman who had been behind the wheel of the 18-wheeler at the time of this accident has been arrested; she apparently had an outstanding nationwide felony warrant with charges of criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and reckless driving. No further details are currently available.
Klamath County, OR — February 29, 2024, Elise Adair Farrents and an unborn child were killed, while Daviana Marie Trussell and one other person were injured in a truck accident on U.S. 97.
According to authorities, a 34-year-old woman was traveling in a southbound Peterbilt 18-wheeler with a trailer in tow on U.S. Highway 97 when the accident occurred.
The causal factors that led to the wreck are still unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the 18-wheeler lost control, jackknifing as a result. It reportedly veered left of center, entering the northbound lane of the highway where it was involved in a collision with an oncoming Honda Pilot occupied by 37-year-old Elise Adair Farrens and 23-year-old Daviana Marie Trussell.
Farrens incurred reportedly fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Trussell sustained suspected severe injuries and was taken to a local medical center in order to receive immediate treatment. The injuries she sustained reportedly led to the loss of her unborn child. The woman from the 18-wheeler suffered apparently minor injuries, as well.
Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When an 18-wheeler jackknifes, crosses the center line, and collides with oncoming traffic, the first question I ask is: what caused the driver to lose control? In a case like this—where fatalities occurred and the driver has now been arrested on charges including criminally negligent homicide and reckless driving—that question becomes even more critical.
A jackknife typically happens when a trailer swings outward after heavy braking, excessive speed for conditions, or a sudden steering maneuver. It’s not clear from the available reports what triggered the loss of control here. We don’t yet know how fast the truck was traveling, whether the driver braked abruptly, or whether road or weather conditions played a role.
The fact that the truck veered left of center into oncoming traffic suggests a significant breakdown in control. Investigators will need to determine how and when the trailer began to rotate, and whether corrective action was attempted. Engine control module data should show speed, throttle position, and braking input in the seconds before the crash. That data can either support or contradict allegations of reckless operation.
The arrest indicates that authorities believe driver conduct rose to a criminal level. But criminal charges still have to be backed by evidence. In my experience, the key evidence in crossover jackknife cases includes black box downloads, skid and yaw marks, driver logbooks, training records, and any available in-cab or dash camera footage.
There are also broader company-level questions that may come into play. Was the driver properly trained in handling emergency braking? Was the truck equipped with stability control systems, and were they functioning? Were maintenance and inspection standards followed? Even when a driver is charged, investigators must still examine whether equipment condition or oversight contributed to the loss of control.
When a commercial truck crosses into oncoming lanes, the margin for error is gone. Determining exactly how that loss of control began—and whether it was preventable—requires a careful reconstruction grounded in objective evidence.
Key Takeaways
- The arrest indicates authorities believe driver conduct contributed to the crash.
- The central issue remains what caused the truck to jackknife and cross the center line.
- Black box data can confirm speed, braking, and control inputs before impact.
- Criminal charges must be supported by physical and electronic evidence.
- A full investigation should examine both driver actions and equipment condition.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us