1 Injured in Truck Accident on U.S. Route 74 in Delco, NC

Delco, NC — February 12, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 6:30 a.m. on U.S. Route 74 near Water Tank Road.

Authorities said an eastbound semi-truck crashed into the back of a garbage truck that was stopped for a pickup.

The driver of the garbage truck, whose name has not been made public, was hospitalized with unspecified injuries after the Columbus County crash, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Rear-end collisions involving large trucks raise important questions about visibility, following distance, and driver attention. In this case, a semi-truck crashed into a garbage truck that was stopped for a pickup. At first glance, it might seem like an issue of simple inattention by the truck driver, but experience has taught me that these crashes often have more layers than people realize.

One of the first things investigators should look at is whether the garbage truck was properly marked and visible. Garbage trucks frequently make stops on roadways, which means they must have working hazard lights, reflective markings and other warning signals to alert approaching drivers. If any of these were missing or malfunctioning, that could have contributed to the crash.

Another key factor is whether the semi-truck driver was distracted, fatigued or following too closely. Large trucks require significantly more stopping distance than smaller vehicles, and if a driver isn’t paying full attention, they may not have time to react. Checking dashcam footage, black box data and cellphone records could help determine whether the truck driver had enough time to avoid the collision.

It’s also important to examine whether road or lighting conditions played a role. Was it still dark outside? Was the garbage truck stopped in a location with limited visibility? Many garbage collection routes take place in the early morning hours, and if lighting was poor or if a curve or hill obstructed the truck from view, that could be a factor.

At this stage, it’s too early to say who is ultimately accountable. But if authorities only focus on what happened at the crash scene without looking into visibility, road conditions and driver behavior, they may miss key details that explain why this crash occurred. A thorough investigation is needed to ensure the right parties are held accountable.