Austin, MN — June 5, 2025, Michael Kiesler was injured in a truck accident at about 12:45 p.m. on westbound Interstate 90.
Authorities said a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a 2025 Kenworth semi-truck near Fourth Street NW. The impact caused to pickup to overturn, while the truck ended up partly in the ditch.
Chevrolet driver Michael William Kiesler, 62, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash, according to authorities. The truck driver was not injured.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Mower County crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a crash like this makes the news — a pickup colliding with an 18-wheeler, one driver injured, the other unscathed — most folks reasonably want to know: How did it happen? And is there more to the story than we’ve been told?
From what’s been released, the collision left the pickup overturned and the semi-truck partly in a ditch. The driver of the pickup was hospitalized, while the truck driver reportedly walked away without injury. At this stage, there are a number of unanswered questions, and the limited details we have don’t explain what caused the crash.
One thing that jumps out is the lack of clarity about the truck’s movement at the time of the crash. Depending on whether the truck was in motion, braking, turning or stopped on the shoulder, very different questions arise. Did the truck suddenly change lanes or drift into the pickup’s path? Did the pickup driver lose control independently and crash into a stopped or slowing truck? Without knowing that, it’s impossible to draw firm conclusions about who might bear responsibility.
A proper investigation will need to do more than examine the vehicles at the scene. The semi-truck’s engine control module (ECM), sometimes called the “black box,” can record key data: vehicle speed, braking and throttle usage in the seconds before impact. If the truck had in-cab cameras or dash cams, those might reveal whether the driver was distracted or if the pickup driver veered unexpectedly.
Cell phone records could also come into play. If either driver was using a device at the time of the crash, that could be a contributing factor. This is especially true for commercial drivers, who are subject to stricter rules on mobile phone use.
If it turns out the truck driver contributed to the crash, it won’t be enough to stop at his actions alone. The focus should also shift to the company that put him on the road. What training did they provide? What background checks did they run? I’ve handled cases where trucking companies hired drivers with spotty records, then claimed surprise when those drivers caused harm. If the company overlooked red flags, or if they failed to train their driver on safe operation protocols, that’s relevant to understanding what happened here and who should be held accountable.
At the moment, this crash is still under investigation. But whether those efforts are thorough enough to uncover the full story is always an open question. I’ve seen firsthand how critical evidence—whether it’s digital records, hiring files or surveillance video—can completely change the understanding of a crash. That’s why it’s essential not to take early reports at face value, especially when they leave out crucial facts.
Key Takeaways
- It’s not yet clear what actions either driver took before the crash, and that makes determining fault premature.
- Evidence like ECM data, dash cam footage and cell phone records will be crucial to understanding what caused the collision.
- The trucking company’s role in hiring and training the driver may become important, depending on what the investigation finds.
- Without access to the full facts, it’s impossible to know who’s responsible, but that’s exactly why a thorough investigation matters.
- Getting answers requires more than a police report; it requires uncovering and analyzing all the available evidence.
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