Hamilton County, IA — May 20, 2025, Reed Peterson was killed in a truck accident at about 3 p.m. on southbound Interstate 35 near Williams.
Authorities said a Ford Fiesta was heading north near mile marker 147 when it crossed the median and hit the tires of a southbound semi-truck’s trailer before being hit by another semi-truck.
Ford driver Reed Peterson, 68, of Mason City died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
The truck drivers did not require hospitalization, authorities said. They were treated and released at the scene.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash north of Williams. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people read about a car crossing the median and hitting a semi-truck, the first question that comes to mind is usually why it happened. Was it a sudden medical issue? A distraction? A vehicle malfunction? In this case, we know a Ford Fiesta crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the tires of a southbound truck’s trailer before being hit by a second truck. But beyond that basic outline, there’s a lot we don’t know, yet these unanswered questions are exactly where serious investigations must begin.
The authorities haven’t said what caused the Ford to cross the median. That’s a major unanswered question. Depending on the cause, responsibility for the crash could look very different. If the driver lost control because of a mechanical failure, for instance, the car’s manufacturer or mechanic might need to be examined. If it was due to distraction or fatigue, that could shift attention to the driver’s actions. But we won’t know anything conclusive until we’ve seen real evidence; data from the car’s systems, phone records, toxicology results and witness accounts.
The reports say the Ford hit the tires of one truck’s trailer, then was struck by a second semi. That detail raises additional questions: Was the first truck moving or stopped in traffic? Were both trucks following standard safety practices? Were dash cams or in-cab video systems running in either truck? If so, that footage could help confirm exactly how the sequence of impacts unfolded.
Even if the Ford was clearly at fault for crossing the median, that doesn’t mean the trucks were entirely passive players. In my experience litigating truck crash cases, I’ve seen situations where poor driver training, lax oversight or even something as simple as improper lane positioning influenced how much damage a crash ultimately caused. Investigating engine control module data and driver logs can help confirm whether the truckers reacted appropriately or had time to avoid the collision.
A proper investigation would need to gather black box data from all vehicles, inspect skid marks and impact zones and look at surrounding surveillance or dash cam video. It’s easy to assume fault lies solely with the vehicle that crossed the median, but that assumption is dangerous and sometimes incorrect. I’ve handled cases where those initial assumptions broke down under closer scrutiny, revealing missed opportunities to avoid the worst outcomes.
We also don’t yet know whether the median had any physical barrier at this location. If it didn’t, that could raise infrastructure concerns, but that’s a separate issue from the legal responsibility of the drivers or trucking companies involved.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s not yet clear why the Ford Fiesta crossed the median or whether mechanical, medical or other factors played a role.
- The roles of the truck drivers remain uncertain; black box data, dash cam footage and driver logs will be critical to understanding their actions.
- Even in apparent crossover crashes, fault can involve multiple parties, not just the driver who crossed over.
- Key evidence like ECM data, vehicle condition and scene documentation will be essential in determining responsibility.
- No meaningful conclusions can be drawn without a full, independent investigation into all vehicles involved.
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