Richland County, OH — May 1, 2024, Shawna Smith and Ronald Smith were killed following a commercial truck accident at around 11:00 p.m. on I-71.
According to current details, the crash happened along northbound lanes of the interstate in the Perry Township area, but it began in southbound lanes.
It appears 60-year-old Shawna Smith was in a northbound Chevy Uplander while 62-year-old Ronald Smith was reportedly in a Ford Escape. In opposite lanes,m a Nissan Rogue apparently hit a deer, and the vehicle’s hood flew up, blocking the windshield. While the exact timing is unclear, authorities say that a semi-truck behind the Rogue swerved left to avoid hitting the Nissan as it “slowed down.” The truck went across the median, into northbound lanes, and it crashed with Shawna Smith and Ronald Smith as well as another semi.
Due to the collision, Shawna Smith and Ronald Smith both sustained fatal injuries. Others involved reportedly had minor injuries. Right now, additional details about the crash remain unconfirmed.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read all of this, my first question is this: Was this all just the result of an animal in the road, or did the truck driver fail to avoid an accident that a responsible truck driver could have avoided? Obviously, a deer suddenly entering a vehicle’s path isn’t likely avoidable. It would be ridiculous to blame someone for a series of events completely beyond their control. But if someone hits a deer, begins to slow down, and a driver approaching from behind could just safely slow down as well, a truck driver veering across a median and getting two people killed would raise serious questions about why that driver wasn’t able to control their vehicle. Were they distracted? Fatigued? Going too fast? Following too closely?
One thing which could potentially shed light on all of this would be obtaining the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM). This device is basically a truck’s “black box.” It records valuable data such as speed, brake application, and engine performance up to the time of a crash. This information is indispensable for constructing an accurate account of events leading up to an accident.
However, obtaining ECM data presents significant challenges. For one, the data extraction process usually requires specialized knowledge and tools that local authorities might not possess. That can mean that without the involvement of independent experts, crucial data could simply be lost or compromised. I’ve even seen authorities rely on the trucking company to provide the information for them. That would be like asking a murder suspect to dust for fingerprints. It simply taints the information and renders it useless.
The reason I bring this up is to highlight that there are steps one can take after such a complex, multi-vehicle wreck to reconstruct the events and find out exactly what went wrong. Those steps, though, are best taken as soon as possible and by people who are experienced in navigating such delicate situations. Simply waiting around on authorities may leave the victims’ loved ones with more questions than answers. Whether or not this all was avoidable, they deserve to know the whole story.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us