Brevard County, FL — December 22, 2025, one person was killed and another was injured due to a truck accident at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Interstate Highway 95.
According to authorities, two people were occupants of a Department of Transportation truck that was parked in the right-most lane of I-95 near Mims when the accident took place. The DOT truck reportedly had its arrow board activated, along with the lights, at the time of the wreck.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, an 18-wheeler failed to heed the signs and move safely to another lane. A collision consequently occurred between the 18-wheeler and the parked truck.
The man who had been behind the wheel of the parked vehicle reportedly sustained fatal injuries due to the collision and was declared deceased at the scene. A 42-year-old man who had been a passenger in the parked truck reportedly suffered serious injuries, as well; he was flown to an area medical facility in order to receive immediate treatment.
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 Department of Transportation truck—clearly marked and equipped with an active arrow board—is struck by an 18-wheeler on a major interstate, the question isn’t just why didn’t the truck driver move over—it’s why did a basic safety protocol fail so completely? Trucks like these are placed in active lanes specifically to warn oncoming drivers of lane closures, work zones, or road hazards. When that warning is ignored, the consequences can be catastrophic.
The report indicates that the DOT truck had both its lights and arrow board engaged. That means the driver of the 18-wheeler had visual cues well in advance—assuming they were looking for them. Whether due to distraction, fatigue, inattention, or impaired judgment, the driver failed to react to a plainly visible hazard in a live traffic lane. That’s not just a mistake—it’s a failure of the most basic professional responsibility: maintaining situational awareness on the road.
I’ve seen these cases before, and unfortunately, they tend to follow the same pattern. A highway worker or public vehicle is parked in the shoulder or far-right lane, performing a function or providing warning. A passing driver—often a commercial operator—either drifts, fails to change lanes, or ignores signage altogether. The results are often fatal, and in almost every instance, the collision was entirely avoidable.
The law is clear: vehicles displaying arrow boards and warning lights in an active lane are to be treated with caution, and drivers are expected to either change lanes or slow down significantly when passing. That’s not a suggestion—it’s codified in state “Move Over” laws across the country. Failure to follow those rules is not just negligent—it can be grounds for criminal or civil liability when someone is hurt or killed.
Investigators will no doubt be reviewing the 18-wheeler’s engine control module (ECM) to determine how fast the vehicle was traveling, whether brakes were applied, and how far in advance the driver could have reacted. But based on what’s been described so far, this incident appears to be less about unclear conditions and more about a complete failure to respond to clear and visible warnings.
Key Takeaways:
- The DOT truck had visible warnings active, including lights and an arrow board—indicating the 18-wheeler driver had every opportunity to react.
- Commercial drivers are required to obey “Move Over” laws and adjust speed or lane position when approaching roadside work vehicles.
- ECM data and physical evidence will be critical in confirming whether the 18-wheeler driver made any attempt to avoid the crash.
- Crashes like this are typically preventable and raise serious questions about distraction, fatigue, or inattentiveness.
- Liability may rest heavily on the truck driver and carrier if evidence confirms a failure to observe standard roadway warnings.
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