Volusia County, FL — July 19, 2025, a teen was killed and another person was injured in a truck accident at about 9 p.m. on U.S. Route 17.
Authorities said a 2020 Honda Civic collided head-on with a 2001 International semi-truck while trying to pass another vehicle while heading north near State Road 40.
The Honda driver, a 16-year-old Pierson girl, died in the crash near Barberville, according to authorities.
The truck driver was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Volusia County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people read about a crash like this, where a 16-year-old driver collided head-on with a semi while trying to pass another vehicle, the first question that often comes to mind is: How could this have happened? But to answer that responsibly, we need to acknowledge what’s missing from the available information.
At this point, we know the Honda Civic was attempting a pass when it struck a semi-truck head-on. That detail suggests the Civic entered the opposite lane, but what we don’t know is just as important: Was the truck moving or stopped at the time? Was it fully in its lane, or drifting even slightly over the center line? Were visibility or lighting conditions a factor at 9 p.m. on a presumably rural stretch of U.S. 17?
Those unanswered questions are where any serious investigation needs to start. In my experience, pinning down the precise cause of a head-on collision means digging into the evidence, not assumptions. That includes collecting the truck’s engine control module (or “black box”) data to determine its speed, braking and steering input before the crash. If the truck had in-cab cameras, those could offer a view of the road and what the driver saw, or didn’t see. Call records might confirm whether the truck driver was distracted. Without that kind of hard evidence, we’re left guessing, and in a fatal crash like this, guesses aren’t good enough.
It’s also important to understand the broader context. Just because one vehicle crossed into another lane doesn’t necessarily settle the question of responsibility. A 16-year-old driver may have made an ill-advised decision to pass, but if the truck driver was speeding, distracted or failed to react in time, that could influence liability. I’ve worked on cases where even small details, like headlight alignment or the angle of a curve, changed how a crash was understood once all the evidence was in.
Ultimately, getting to the truth means conducting a full investigation; not just relying on what someone says at the scene, but reviewing logs, records and physical evidence. Only then can we know who was responsible and how this crash might have been prevented.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s unclear from current reports whether the semi-truck was stationary or moving, or whether it remained fully in its lane.
- Determining fault in a head-on collision depends on verifiable evidence like black box data, dash cams and phone records.
- The truck driver’s condition and conduct need to be examined alongside the teen driver’s actions.
- Company hiring and training practices may also play a role in determining liability.
- A full investigation is essential before conclusions about responsibility can be made.
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