Lewisville, AR — January 29, 2025, Shannon Johnston was killed and Thomas Davis was injured in a truck accident at about 1 a.m. on U.S. Route 82.
Authorities said a 2014 GMC Sierra was headed west when it crashed head-on with an eastbound 2014 Freightliner semi-truck for an unknown reason.
GMC driver Shannon L. Johnston, 54, died in the crash, according to authorities, while truck driver Thomas E. Davis, 64, suffered undisclosed injuries.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lafayette County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I hear about a head-on collision between a pickup truck and a semi-truck, my first question is, “How did these two vehicles end up in the same lane?” Many people might assume one driver simply crossed the centerline, but in my experience, these crashes often involve more than just driver error.
One of the first things investigators should determine is whether either driver was impaired, fatigued or distracted. Since this crash happened at 1 a.m., fatigue is a real concern. I’ve seen cases where drivers — especially commercial drivers — were pushing through long hours and lost focus. Investigators should check the truck driver’s hours-of-service logs and look into whether either driver had been on the road for an extended period.
Another factor worth considering is visibility and road conditions. Was the road well-lit, or was it too dark to see hazards clearly? Were there any sharp curves or hills that may have contributed to a driver misjudging their position? In some cases, road markings are faded or missing, making it difficult to tell where one lane ends and another begins.
Mechanical failure is also a possibility. A tire blowout or brake issue could have caused a driver to lose control and veer into oncoming traffic. I’ve handled cases where a sudden failure, like a steering problem, led to a vehicle crossing into another lane with no chance to correct course. Investigators should inspect both vehicles for any signs of mechanical issues that could have played a role.
At this stage, too little is known to draw firm conclusions. That’s why a thorough investigation needs to go beyond just assuming that one driver made a mistake. Without looking at all the possible factors, it’s easy to overlook key details that could change the entire understanding of what happened.
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