1 Killed in Truck Accident on U.S. Route 24 in Salisbury, MO

Salisbury, MO — October 1, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 11:30 a.m. in the 300 block of U.S. Route 24.

Authorities said a 1994 Kenworth semi-truck was heading west when it collided with a 2008 Ford Taurus that was northbound on North Weber Avenue.

The Ford driver, an 85-year-old Salisbury woman, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not hurt, authorities said, but both vehicles had to be towed away from the crash site.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Chariton County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a fatal collision between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle at an intersection, their first question is usually: How did these two vehicles end up in the same place at the same time? That’s the central issue here, and based on what’s been reported so far, we’re still missing key information needed to answer it.

From the details that have been released, it appears the semi-truck was westbound on U.S. Route 24, while the Ford Taurus was headed north on North Weber Avenue. The reports say the two vehicles collided, but they don’t say how the collision happened. Did the car try to cross or turn onto Route 24 in front of the truck? Did the truck fail to yield the right of way at the intersection? Was either vehicle speeding or trying to beat a light or stop sign? Without those answers, we’re left with some serious unanswered questions.

One of the first things I’d want to know is whether this intersection is controlled: does it have stop signs or traffic signals, and who had the right of way at the time? That’s a foundational issue in any crash like this. And while eyewitness accounts can help fill in those blanks, they’re often unreliable. That’s why we rely on hard evidence like dash cam footage, data from the truck’s engine control module and any traffic or security cameras that may have captured the crash.

Another critical piece of the puzzle is the semi-truck itself. Was the driver alert and in control of the vehicle? Was he distracted, possibly by a cell phone? Did he see the car in time to react? Those are questions that only an independent investigation can answer, using tools like call logs, in-cab camera footage and the truck’s onboard data. These days, most modern trucks have electronic systems that record speed, braking and even lane positioning leading up to a crash. That kind of information can often make or break a case.

Finally, we can’t overlook the role of the trucking company. Depending on what the investigation uncovers, it may be necessary to ask whether the driver was properly trained, whether his driving history showed any prior issues and whether the company had any reason to know this driver might be a risk. I’ve handled cases where a driver never should have been behind the wheel in the first place, but no one at the company asked the right questions before putting them on the road.

At the end of the day, accountability doesn’t just happen because a crash made the news. It happens when someone takes the time to collect all the evidence, ask the right questions and figure out who, if anyone, failed to do their job. That process takes time, but it’s the only way to make sure the truth comes out.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear who had the right of way at the intersection where the crash happened.
• Critical facts are missing, including whether either driver failed to yield or was distracted.
• Truck data, dash cams and cell phone records may help clarify the truck driver’s role.
• The trucking company’s hiring and training practices may also come under scrutiny.
• Only a thorough investigation will determine who should be held responsible.