Provo, UT — April 15, 2025, one person was killed following a truck accident at approximately 10:15 p.m. along Interstate Highway 15.
According to authorities, an 18-wheeler—which was experiencing issues with its engine—with a box trailer in tow had come to a stop in an active, southbound lane of I.H. 15 in the vicinity of U.S. 189 when the accident took place. It did apparently have its headlights and hazard lights activated.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a southbound Kia Soul occupied by a 39-year-old man collided with the rear-end of the trailer. The man from the Soul suffered fatal injuries due to the collision, according to reports, and was declared deceased at the scene. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
In my experience, when a commercial truck becomes disabled in an active lane of a high-speed interstate, it creates one of the most dangerous situations imaginable for other drivers. Even when the truck’s hazard lights are on, the reality is that a stopped 18-wheeler in a travel lane—especially at night—is incredibly difficult to detect in time to avoid a crash. That’s not just a matter of poor visibility. It’s a breakdown in how these situations are supposed to be managed under both industry practice and the law.
A key question in a case like this is whether the truck driver followed proper safety protocol once the vehicle became disabled. It’s not enough to simply stop and turn on hazard lights. Federal regulations require the placement of emergency reflective triangles behind a disabled commercial vehicle to alert oncoming traffic, especially in low-light conditions. Was that done here? And if not, why not? I’ve seen firsthand how failing to take that one step can leave drivers approaching at highway speeds with no chance to react.
It’s also important to examine how long the truck was stopped before the collision. If it had only just come to a stop, the situation might have been unavoidable. But if it had been sitting there for minutes without the proper precautions in place, that dramatically changes the analysis. Even with lights activated, the rear of a stopped trailer is difficult to distinguish from a moving one—particularly at night when depth perception is compromised and other visual cues are minimal.
If the truck was being operated under a commercial carrier, that adds another layer of responsibility. Did the company ensure the driver was trained to respond to mechanical failures safely? Was the vehicle properly maintained, or had engine issues already been reported and ignored? Was this stretch of highway a reasonable place to stop, or could the driver have coasted to the shoulder or an off-ramp to clear the lane? These are the kinds of decisions that often determine whether a disabled truck poses a manageable risk or an unavoidable hazard.
From where I sit, a fatal rear-end collision with a stopped commercial truck isn’t just about who failed to see what in time. It’s about whether the truck was where it should have been, whether the right steps were taken once it wasn’t, and whether those responsible for the truck gave other drivers a fair chance to avoid a deadly outcome. That’s why a thorough investigation is essential—and why accountability must extend beyond the crash itself to the choices and practices that led up to it. Only then can those affected by the wreck receive the clarity and closure they deserve.
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