Aiken County, SC — July 30, 2025, Joshua Millard was killed and another person was injured in a truck accident at about 8:30 a.m. on U.S. Route 78 Bypass/Rudy Mason Parkway.
Authorities said an eastbound 2005 Chrysler minivan collided with a westbound 2024 semi-truck near Willow Run Road.
Chrysler driver Joshua Millard, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash outside of Aiken, according to authorities.
The truck driver was hospitalized with unspecified injuries, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Aiken County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a minivan and an 18-wheeler collide head-on, the public understandably wants answers. Was the truck where it was supposed to be? Was the minivan drifting into the wrong lane? So far, officials haven’t released enough details to answer either question. Without clear evidence about the truck’s movements or what led up to the crash, we’re left with some key unanswered questions, and those are exactly the kinds of questions that determine who should be held accountable.
Depending on whether the semi-truck veered out of its lane or whether the van crossed the center line, entirely different sets of concerns come into play. If the truck crossed over into oncoming traffic, we need to understand why. Was the driver distracted? Fatigued? Did something go wrong with the truck itself, like a mechanical failure or a steering issue? On the other hand, if the minivan was the one that left its lane, we’d want to know whether the truck driver had time to react, or whether visibility or other factors limited his ability to avoid the collision.
What I’ve seen in past cases is that you can’t get to the truth of a crash like this just by looking at skid marks or vehicle positions. You need more. The truck’s engine control module, the so-called “black box,” may have recorded the vehicle’s speed, braking and steering inputs in the seconds before impact. If the truck had a forward-facing dash cam or an in-cab video system, that footage can offer clear insight into where the truck was and what the driver was doing. Even something like cell phone records could show whether the driver was distracted at the time.
Beyond the crash itself, a thorough investigation should examine the truck driver’s qualifications and the company’s hiring practices. I’ve had cases where drivers with long histories of violations were still on the road because their employers failed to perform even the most basic background checks. Whether that’s a factor here remains to be seen, but that’s precisely why these issues must be investigated.
Ultimately, we can’t rely on assumptions or early reports. Real accountability comes from putting the facts under a microscope and letting the evidence tell the story.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s unclear from current reports which vehicle left its lane, and that’s central to determining fault.
- Evidence like black box data, dash cams and phone records can clarify what each driver was doing.
- If the truck crossed the center line, investigators need to explore driver behavior, vehicle condition and possible distractions.
- If the van was at fault, questions remain about whether the truck driver had any opportunity to avoid the crash.
- A full investigation should also look into the trucking company’s driver vetting and training practices.
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