Von Ormy, TX — May 29, 2025, a child was killed and an adult was injured in a truck accident at approximately 12:45 p.m. along State Highway 16.
According to authorities, an adult and a 10-year-old child were traveling in a southbound Jeep Compass on S.H. 16 behind an 18-wheeler in the vicinity of the Encino Drive intersection when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, as the 18-wheeler slowed in preparation of making a right-hand turn, the Jeep Compass collided with its rear-end. Reports state that the 10-year-old in the Jeep did not survive the wreck. The person who had been behind the wheel of the Jeep reportedly suffered injuries and was flown to an area medical facility in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
A crash where a Jeep runs into the back of a turning 18-wheeler leaves many people assuming it’s an open-and-shut case—that the driver of the Jeep must have been following too closely or not paying attention. But the truth is, rear-end crashes involving large trucks are often far more complicated than they appear.
Here, an adult and a child were following behind an 18-wheeler when it slowed down to turn. The Jeep then struck the back of the trailer. One child lost their life, and the driver of the Jeep was airlifted to the hospital. At this point, we don’t know why the Jeep couldn’t stop in time. But without that answer, it’s impossible to say who’s at fault.
In my experience, rear-end crashes involving trucks often come down to visibility and timing. One key issue is whether the truck gave sufficient and timely signal of its intention to turn. Another is whether the trailer itself was visible and clearly marked. I’ve handled cases where a truck’s rear lights were caked with dirt or its reflective tape was worn off. When a trailer lacks visibility, especially in daylight glare or poor weather, it can be nearly impossible for a trailing driver to gauge when or how much a truck is slowing.
Another common factor is whether the truck slowed suddenly or unexpectedly. Did the driver slow down gradually, giving the following vehicle enough time to react? Or was there a quick deceleration that didn’t match the conditions? The truck’s engine control module (ECM) can shed light on this, providing exact data on speed changes and braking. That kind of evidence is essential to understanding what happened.
Also, if the truck was turning onto a narrow or private road like Encino Drive, there’s the question of whether the turn was legal and whether the driver swung wide into the adjacent lane, which might confuse trailing drivers or give the impression that the truck was changing lanes rather than turning.
This kind of wreck also requires a closer look at trucking company practices. Was the trailer properly maintained? Was the driver familiar with the area and trained to make turns safely in traffic? None of that gets answered by just looking at the damage. It only comes out through a full investigation.
Key Takeaways
- A rear-end collision with a turning truck isn’t automatically the fault of the trailing vehicle.
- Key evidence includes brake timing, rear trailer visibility, and turn signals—all verifiable through ECM data and video footage.
- It’s unclear whether the truck made a proper and lawful turn, or whether its actions gave the following driver sufficient warning.
- Investigators should also examine whether poor maintenance or driver training contributed to the crash.
- Assigning responsibility in this kind of case requires a detailed, evidence-based approach—not assumptions based on the crash outcome.
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