Manteca, CA — October 15, 2024, one person was killed and three were injured after a semi-truck accident at around 1:00 p.m. on the 120 Bypass.
Authorities said in preliminary statements that the accident happened in the area of the 120 Bypass and Main Street.
Initial details about the accident indicate there was building traffic along the 120 bypass along eastbound lanes. As traffic slowed, authorities say a semi-truck slammed into the back of three vehicles. Due to this, one person was killed. At least three others reportedly had critical injuries due to the collision. Right now, an exact cause for the crash is unclear, and no charges or citations have been reported.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Rear-end collisions involving semi-trucks might seem like open-and-shut cases. With the rare exception of accidents caused by defects or medical emergencies, they’re usually the result of a truck driver speeding, following too closely, or being distracted. However, I’ve handled hundreds of commercial vehicle accident cases, and the reality is that many of these crashes are tied to a truck driver’s employer and the dangerous environment they create. That’s why it’s important investigations always dig into deeper questions beyond what may be apparent at the crash scene.
For example, was the driver under pressure to meet an unrealistic deadline? Were they speeding, driving while fatigued, or using electronics while driving because they were rushing to meet ridiculous standards? Was the truck poorly maintained, leading to mechanical issues such as brake failure or tire failure? Did the company fail to properly train an inexperienced driver? Did they hire someone with a history of reckless driving?
Too often, these are questions that go unanswered. Folks understandably rely on authorities to get information about a crash only to find those authorities are barely scratching the surface. In my experience, people aren’t looking for an easy explanation. They want to see accountability. If there were multiple parties making mistakes that ultimately led to people getting hurt, then all of those parties should face appropriate consequences. It remains to be seen if proper steps are being taken here to see that happens.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us