Monroe County, MI — June 16, 2025, Jessica Benner was killed in a truck accident at about 5:10 p.m. on North Telegraph Road/U.S. Route 24.
Authorities said a 2012 Ford Escape was heading north when it crashed into the back of a 2012 International flat-bed truck that had stopped while turning left into a private driveway east of Carleton.
Ford driver Jessica E. Benner, 30, died at the scene of the crash north of Carleton Rockwood Road, according to authorities. The truck driver was not injured.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Monroe County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people hear that a car ran into the back of a flatbed truck, many assume the responsibility falls squarely on the car’s driver. But in my experience litigating truck accident cases, the truth is often more complicated, and more troubling, than it first appears.
Here, a Ford Escape crashed into the rear of a flatbed truck that had reportedly stopped to make a left turn into a private driveway. That might sound straightforward, but several key questions remain unanswered. For one: Was the truck clearly visible? A flatbed trailer, especially without properly functioning lights or reflective markings, can all but disappear in certain lighting conditions. If the truck was stopped late in the day, as reports indicate, it’s reasonable to ask whether poor visibility played a role.
Another issue is whether the truck driver followed basic safety procedures while making that left turn. Did they signal in time? Did they come to a gradual stop, or did they brake suddenly? Depending on how the truck slowed down, the Ford driver may have had little or no warning. This is exactly the kind of thing that can be clarified through black box data and dash cam footage, if they exist and someone obtains them.
There’s also the question of whether the trailer was properly equipped and maintained. I’ve seen crashes where missing brake lights or faded reflectors made it nearly impossible for trailing drivers to see a stopped trailer, even in daylight. It’s not yet clear if that was a factor here, but it’s something that deserves careful attention in any thorough investigation.
Finally, there’s the matter of the trucking company. Was this driver properly trained? Did the company run a meaningful background check before handing over the keys? You’d be surprised how often basic hiring steps get skipped in the rush to fill seats.
Until all of these questions are answered — and that means pulling phone records, black box data and company safety records — there’s no way to say who’s responsible. But that doesn’t mean no one is. It just means we’re not there yet.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s not clear whether the flatbed truck was adequately visible or properly marked at the time of the crash.
- Black box and dash cam data could clarify whether the trucker braked suddenly or signaled appropriately.
- Trailer lighting and maintenance need to be verified to rule out equipment failure.
- The trucking company’s hiring and training practices should be scrutinized as part of the investigation.
- A full, independent investigation is the only way to determine who should be held accountable.
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