Elkhart, IN — January 10, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 7 p.m. on the Indiana Toll Road.
Authorities said a Ford SUV lost control and crashed won the snowy highway near the Elkhart exit. The vehicle came to rest across the eastbound lanes of the highway.
The driver was standing beside his vehicle when it was hit by a 2019 Volvo semi-truck, forcing the SUV into the man and knocking him into the ditch.
The 19-year-old Illinois man, whose name has not been released at this point, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries, authorities said. The truck driver, a 64-year-old Pennsylvania man, was not injured.
The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
This crash on the Indiana Toll Road demonstrates the dangers of standing outside a vehicle on a busy highway, especially when a semi-truck is involved. The key question here is whether the semi-truck driver had the opportunity to avoid the stationary SUV and prevent the collision.
The primary area of focus is the actions of the semi-truck driver leading up to the crash. Did the driver have enough time to see the SUV across the eastbound lanes and take evasive action? Semi-trucks require significant stopping distances, particularly on snowy roads, so understanding the truck’s speed and braking activity is crucial. Investigators will likely review the truck’s engine control module (ECM) data and any available dashcam footage to determine whether the driver was operating responsibly under the conditions. While weather can be a factor, commercial drivers are expected to adjust their driving to account for these challenges, including reducing speed and increasing following distances.
The SUV’s position across the highway also raises questions about the circumstances of the initial crash. Was the vehicle’s position unavoidable due to the loss of control, or could it have been moved to a safer location? Additionally, it’s worth considering whether the driver had adequate visibility and reflective clothing while standing outside the vehicle, as these factors could influence the truck driver’s ability to see him in time.
This incident underscores the heightened risks of being outside a vehicle on a highway, particularly in poor weather. For the injured man, understanding the chain of events that led to his injuries will be critical to addressing accountability. A thorough investigation can help clarify the actions of the truck driver and whether the collision could have been prevented. By identifying these factors, measures can be taken to improve safety and reduce the likelihood of similar crashes in the future.
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