Mitchell County, TX — December 3, 2025, James Creighton was killed in a truck accident at about 9 p.m. on Interstate 20 east of Colorado City.
Authorities said a 2024 Chevrolet 1500 was headed west near mile marker 221 when it crashed into the back of a Volvo semi-truck that was stopped because of power line maintenance in the area.
Driver James B. Creighton, 61, of Many, LA, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
The two people in the semi-truck were not injured, the report states.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Mitchell County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people hear about a fatal crash involving a pickup and a stopped 18-wheeler on the highway, the first question that usually comes to mind is: Why was that truck stopped there in the first place? That’s the right question to ask here.
The available reports say the semi-truck was stopped due to power line maintenance along I-20. But that explanation raises just as many questions as it answers. Did the trucking company or its driver receive proper warning about the hazard ahead? Was the truck stopped in a live lane of traffic, or was it pulled safely onto the shoulder? Were any warning triangles, hazard lights or other advance warnings placed to alert approaching vehicles, especially at night?
We don’t yet know the answers to those questions, and without them, it’s impossible to say whether the pickup driver’s actions were avoidable, or whether he was put in an impossible position by poor visibility and an improperly secured work zone.
Another key factor will be what the truck’s engine control module (ECM) or dash camera data can reveal. Did the semi stop abruptly? Was it stopped for several minutes or more? Was it even stopped completely, or just moving very slowly due to the maintenance activity? Each of these scenarios tells a very different story about how and why this crash happened.
Then there’s the matter of responsibility. If this truck was stopped due to utility work, who coordinated that? Was it law enforcement? A utility company? The trucking company itself? And were all the proper safety protocols in place for stopping a commercial vehicle on a high-speed interstate at night?
In my experience, even seemingly simple crashes often turn out to be complex when you dig into the evidence. I once handled a case where a driver ran into the back of a stopped truck on the highway, and many people initially assumed it was the driver’s fault. But the evidence — black box data, lighting conditions, hazard placement and company policies — ultimately showed that the truck shouldn’t have been stopped where it was, or at least not without proper warnings. That case didn’t hinge on who had the right of way, but on whether the truck created a danger that no reasonable driver could have avoided.
That’s why early assumptions, especially in rear-end truck collisions, can be misleading. The real story only comes into focus once investigators examine the full picture: where the truck was, how long it had been stopped, what lighting or warnings were present and who made the decision to stop there in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s not yet clear whether the semi-truck was stopped in a travel lane or safely off the road.
- Critical facts, such as whether proper warning devices were deployed, remain unknown.
- Black box and dash cam data from the truck may shed light on whether the stop was abrupt, prolonged or improperly executed.
- Responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver to include whoever coordinated the roadwork or failed to ensure proper safety measures.
- Rear-end collisions with stopped trucks often seem straightforward, but thorough investigation can reveal a more complex reality.
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