Buena Park, CA — February 7, 2025, three people were killed following a truck accident at approximately 4:00 a.m. along State Highway 91.
According to authorities, a pickup truck had become disabled in the eastbound lanes of S.H. 91 in the vicinity of Valley View Street when the accident took place.
The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, there was a collision between the disabled pickup truck and an eastbound 18-wheeler. All three people who had been in the pickup suffered fatal injuries due to the wreck and were reportedly declared deceased at the scene. It does not appear that any one else was hurt. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a disabled vehicle is struck by an 18-wheeler, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, crashes like this often involve multiple contributing factors that aren’t immediately obvious from the scene alone.
Did the truck driver have enough time to react? A disabled vehicle in the roadway is always a hazard, but commercial drivers are expected to scan the road ahead and adjust their driving accordingly. If the pickup had been stopped for long enough that a focused driver should have seen it, investigators should determine whether the trucker was paying full attention. Reviewing dashcam footage, phone records, and in-cab data could help establish whether distraction played a role.
Was visibility a factor? This crash happened at 4:00 a.m., a time when lighting conditions may not have been ideal. If the disabled pickup’s lights or hazard signals weren’t working, that could have made it difficult to see in time. However, 18-wheelers are equipped with high-powered headlights, and drivers are trained to anticipate obstacles on the road. Investigators should examine whether the truck driver had a reasonable opportunity to avoid the collision.
Did the disabled vehicle have a chance to get out of the roadway? Sometimes a breakdown happens suddenly, leaving a driver with no time or space to pull over. Other times, vehicles are stopped in travel lanes because of driver decisions or delays in seeking help. Investigators should determine how long the pickup had been in the roadway and whether it could have been moved to a safer location before the collision occurred.
Did broader issues contribute to the crash? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly trained and following safe driving practices. If a driver was fatigued, speeding, or otherwise not exercising proper caution, investigators should examine company policies, driver training records, and past safety violations to determine whether broader issues played a role.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.
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