Boone County, IN — August 15, 2025, Jose Chavez and Norma Perez were killed and Yaraliz Mercado and Brice Stingley were injured in a truck accident at about 10:25 a.m. on State Road 39.
Authorities said a 2012 GMC Sierra, a 2021 Ram passenger van and a concrete truck collided in the 8500 block of North State Road 39.
GMC driver Jose Chavez, 64, and passenger Norma Perez, 59, died in the crash, according to authorities, while passenger Yaraliz Mercado, 25, and van driver Brice Stingley, 62, were hospitalized with serious injuries.
The concrete truck driver suffered minor injuries in the crash, authorities said
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Boone County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people hear about a deadly crash involving a concrete truck and two smaller vehicles, their first question is usually the right one: How does something like this happen? From what’s been reported, we know two people lost their lives and two more were seriously hurt. But beyond that, there’s a lot we still don’t know, especially about how the collision unfolded and what role the concrete truck may have played.
At this point, it’s not clear which vehicle initiated the chain of events. Was the concrete truck moving, stopped or trying to turn? Was there a sudden lane change, a brake failure or a driver not paying attention? Depending on those details, the legal questions change significantly. That’s why thorough investigation is so important.
One of the first things I’d want to see in a case like this is the black box data from the concrete truck: information about its speed, braking and steering in the moments before the crash. If the truck has in-cab cameras, that could provide even more clarity. And we can’t ignore the human side of the equation either: Was the driver fatigued? Distracted? Did the company follow proper hiring and training procedures?
I’ve seen cases before where the trucking company’s choices played just as big a role as anything the driver did. For example, I once handled a case where the company put a driver on the road after firing him multiple times for unsafe behavior. That company’s poor judgment didn’t just create risk. It guaranteed it. Depending on what the investigation turns up here, similar questions could arise.
As of now, the official investigation is ongoing. But whether this crash came down to driver error, mechanical failure or company negligence, the truth is buried in the evidence. And unless someone pushes to get that evidence, the full story may never come out.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s not yet clear what triggered the collision between the concrete truck, the van and the GMC pickup.
- Investigators should review black box data, in-cab video and cell phone records to understand the truck driver’s actions.
- The trucking company’s hiring, training and supervision practices may also come under scrutiny.
- Accountability depends on evidence, not assumptions or early conclusions.
- Independent investigation is critical to uncovering all responsible parties.
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