Brookings, SD — December 13, 2024, Michelle Shay was injured in a truck accident at about 2:20 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 30 and 471st Avenue.
Authorities said a 2011 Toyota Rav4 was heading south on 471st Avenue when it crashed into the side of a box truck that has been driving west on Highway 30.
Authorities said Michelle Shay, who was driving the Toyota, was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries after the crash.
The truck driver reportedly was cited for proceeding from a stop sign without ensuring safe passage.
The accident remains under investigation by Brookings County authorities.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
In my opinion, the citation reportedly issued to the box truck driver in this case suggests he either failed to notice the approaching vehicle or misjudged its speed. Investigators should confirm if the driver was distracted, fatigued, or otherwise inattentive. His cell phone also may provide valuable data on events leading up to the accident. Authorities also should determine if the driver stopped fully and checked both directions before entering the intersection.
The crash scene will yield evidence to help investigators piece together what happened at this intersection, as tire marks, vehicle positions and collision impact points will help reconstruct the crash. This will confirm whether the Toyota had sufficient distance to stop or whether the box truck was fully in the Toyota’s path when the collision occurred.
Speed also could have been a factor in the crash. Was the truck traveling at a safe speed as it entered the intersection? Even if the truck driver misjudged the Toyota’s approach, slower entry speeds might have mitigated the crash’s severity.
The investigation also should consider whether the intersection itself played a role in the crash. Rural intersections with limited traffic controls can be especially prone to crashes due to misjudged gaps or unclear right-of-way expectations.
Commercial vehicle accidents lead to complicated investigations because of questions like the ones I’ve raised. Sadly, too often authorities don’t have the time or training to adequately investigate crashes like this. That may mean an independent investigation is needed to provide a full picture of what happened for the victim and her family.
