1 Killed in Truck Accident on U.S. Route 20 in Portage, IN

Portage, IN — October 15, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 1:20 p.m. on U.S. Route 20 near Douglas Drive.

Authorities said an eastbound semi-truck swerved into the westbound lanes to avoid a Ram cargo van that was stopped while waiting to make a left turn. The truck collided with a Subaru Crosstrek and jackknifed, causing its trailer to crash into the van.

The Subaru driver, a 54-year-old man whose name has not been made public yet, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The two people inside the van were treated for unspecified injuries, authorities said.

The truck driver, who did not have a valid commercial driver’s license, was charged with reckless homicide, according to authorities.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear that a semi-truck swerved into oncoming traffic, killing someone and injuring others, their first question is usually some version of: How does something like that even happen? A truck crossing into opposing lanes isn’t a minor misstep. It’s a catastrophic breakdown of responsibility. But the reasons why these things happen aren’t always as simple as they seem at first glance.

According to early reports, the truck driver claimed he swerved to avoid a van that was stopped waiting to turn. That may explain what happened, but not why. We’re told the driver didn’t have a valid commercial driver’s license and is already facing criminal charges, which raises obvious questions about who put him behind the wheel in the first place. Still, understanding exactly how this crash unfolded, and who else may be responsible, requires digging deeper.

The driver’s story is that he was avoiding a stopped vehicle. But that immediately raises a few critical questions:

• Was he following too closely to react safely?
• Was he distracted?
• Was he speeding?
• Did something go wrong with the truck’s brakes or steering?

These aren’t idle questions. They’re the kind of things that can be answered with real evidence. The truck’s engine control module (ECM), or “black box,” may show whether the driver hit the brakes before crossing the center line. Dashcam or in-cab video, if available, could show whether the van was truly stopped, or whether the driver simply failed to notice it until too late.

Then there’s the matter of the driver himself. No valid CDL? That’s not just a paperwork issue. It suggests a breakdown in the carrier’s hiring and vetting process. I’ve handled cases where a trucking company hired a driver who had been fired from multiple previous jobs. In one instance, the company’s driver “evaluation” consisted of a 20-minute test drive. That’s not diligence. That’s negligence wrapped in bureaucracy.

If this driver was operating without proper credentials, it’s not enough to lay blame on him alone. The law recognizes that employers who put unqualified drivers on the road may bear significant responsibility for the harm that follows.

Another part of this crash that stands out is the trailer jackknifing and hitting the van. Depending on how that sequence unfolded, there could be other issues at play, like trailer loading, brake balance or weight distribution. We don’t know if the cargo shifted or if there were mechanical problems, but both are possibilities worth exploring. In my experience, trailer instability doesn’t just happen. There’s usually a reason, and it’s often preventable.

It’s also not clear whether the van was fully stopped or just slowing to turn. That distinction could change everything. If the van stopped suddenly without warning, or didn’t signal properly, that may have created the chain reaction. Then again, if the trucker was following too closely or not paying attention, the fault may still fall squarely on him and his employer.

At this stage, we don’t have those answers. But they’re all accessible with the right kind of investigation: phone records, ECM data, witness interviews and a thorough review of the truck’s maintenance and hiring records.

Key Takeaways:

• The truck driver allegedly crossed into oncoming traffic and caused a fatal crash, but key questions remain about why.
• Evidence from ECMs, dashcams and phone records will be critical to understanding the driver’s actions before the crash.
• The driver lacked a valid CDL, raising serious concerns about the trucking company’s hiring practices.
• Trailer jackknifing could point to issues with braking, loading or cargo balance that need further investigation.
• Determining liability requires a full picture of what each party did, or failed to do, before the crash occurred.