Update (March 26, 2025): Authorities said Lydia Reeger, 68, died March 22 from injuries sustained in this truck accident. The accident is still under investigation.
Indiana, PA — March 11, 2025, John Reeger was killed and his wife was injured in a truck accident at about 9:20 a.m. on Philadelphia Street.
Authorities said a box truck hit two pedestrians while turning left from 9th Street.
John F. Reeger, 68, died after being transported to a local hospital, while his wife was flown to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes where turning commercial trucks strike pedestrians raise serious concerns about driver awareness, blind spots, and whether proper precautions were taken. In this case, reports indicate that a box truck hit two pedestrians while making a left turn from 9th Street onto Philadelphia Street, resulting in one fatality and serious injuries. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver error, poor visibility or other contributing factors.
One of the first questions investigators should answer is whether the truck driver saw the pedestrians before making the turn. Large trucks have significant blind spots, especially on the left side, and drivers must take extra care when navigating intersections. Did the driver check for pedestrians before turning? Were there any obstructions that may have prevented the driver from seeing them? Reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements will be critical in understanding whether this was a case of driver inattention or limited visibility.
Another key factor is whether the pedestrians had the right of way. If they were crossing with a walk signal or in a marked crosswalk, that would place greater responsibility on the truck driver to yield. However, if the intersection lacked clear markings or pedestrian signals, that could have contributed to confusion about who had the right of way. Investigators should examine the intersection design and traffic control devices to determine whether road conditions played a role.
Speed and turn execution should also be considered. Trucks require more space and time to make turns safely. Was the driver making a sharp turn at too high a speed? Did they misjudge the distance between the truck and the pedestrians? Reviewing black box data from the truck could help determine whether excessive speed or improper turn technique contributed to the crash.
At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on who hit whom without investigating why the driver failed to see the pedestrians — whether due to blind spots, inattention or poor intersection design — they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong.
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