UPDATE (May 15, 2025): Recent reports identified the people killed in the accident as 68-year-old Manuel Mijango, 50-year-old William West, and 23-year-old Christopher Powell. Right now, the crash remains under investigation.
Calhoun, GA — May 13, 2025, three people were killed and two others were injured in a multi-vehicle truck accident sometime in the morning along I.H. 75.
According to authorities, a collision took place in the northbound lanes of I.H. 75 between an 18-wheeler and a Hyundai Sonata.
Officials indicate that, after the initial collision, the 18-wheeler crossed over the median, entering the oncoming southbound lanes of the interstate. There, it was involved in additional collisions with two other 18-wheelers, a Toyota Corolla, and a Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Three people who had been involved in the wreck reportedly suffered fatal injuries as a result; two others suffered injuries of as yet unknown severity and were transported to local medical facilities for necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When an 18-wheeler crashes into a passenger vehicle, crosses a highway median, and sets off a chain reaction involving multiple other vehicles—including two more 18-wheelers—the result is usually catastrophic, as it was here. In my 30 years of handling commercial truck crash cases, I’ve found that wrecks this destructive almost never happen because of a single mistake. They happen because a system meant to prevent disaster failed at multiple levels—whether through poor training, equipment failure, or a company culture that prioritizes speed over safety.
The most urgent legal question in this crash is why the truck crossed over the median. That kind of movement isn’t typical, even in severe collisions, and usually suggests a total loss of control—either from swerving, jackknifing, or driver incapacitation. Was the driver trying to avoid a slower vehicle? Was there a mechanical failure, such as brake loss or steering malfunction? Or was the initial collision with the Hyundai Sonata more severe than early reports suggest, leading to an overcorrection or destabilization of the truck? These are the kinds of questions that can only be answered through a detailed reconstruction that looks at vehicle telemetry, crash data recorders, and road conditions.
What also must be investigated is the role of the trucking company. Did they ensure the driver was properly trained to handle emergency situations at highway speeds? Was the driver operating within their federally mandated hours of service, or had they been pushed to drive fatigued? Were they transporting a load that was properly secured and balanced? I’ve seen companies send out drivers on routes without giving them the tools, rest, or time they need to operate safely. When a truck ends up careening across a median and into oncoming traffic, those upstream decisions come into sharp focus.
And this isn’t just about the driver or their company—it’s about whether this crash could have been anticipated and prevented. Was the truck equipped with any modern safety systems, such as lane departure warnings or collision mitigation technology? Were the tires and brakes in good condition? If not, that could point to long-standing maintenance issues—another area where companies often cut corners until it’s too late.
Getting to the bottom of a crash like this means asking the right questions and refusing to stop at surface-level explanations. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Understanding how the initial collision occurred, why the truck entered the opposing lanes, and whether the company met its legal responsibilities is key to figuring out what might have happened. Getting clear answers to these questions is the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.
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