Terrell, TX — August 15, 2025, one person was injured due to a two-truck accident shortly after 6:00 p.m. along Interstate Highway 20.
According to authorities, an 18-wheeler had caught on fire, causing traffic to slow in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 in the vicinity west of Hiram Road when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a box truck failed to appropriately control its speed for the traffic conditions. It was consequently involved in a rear-end collision with the trailer of an 18-wheeler.
The person who had been behind the wheel of the box truck reportedly sustained injuries to their face as a result of the wreck. They were transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. 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
When traffic slows on the highway—whether because of a fire, a crash, or construction—the burden is on drivers behind to adjust. The report says a box truck rear-ended an 18-wheeler that was already stopped or slowed because of a truck fire up ahead. That raises the immediate question: why didn’t the box truck driver control his speed?
Rear-end collisions in slowed traffic often come down to three main possibilities: distraction, fatigue, or following too closely. The report doesn’t clarify which, if any, applied here. A proper investigation would look at the box truck’s electronic control module to see how fast it was going, whether the brakes were applied, and how much time elapsed before impact. Cell phone records could reveal whether the driver was texting or on a call. If the truck was equipped with an in-cab camera, that might provide the clearest view of what the driver was doing in the moments before the crash.
Another important piece is the condition of the box truck itself. Did the brakes function as designed, or was there a maintenance lapse? That’s something a post-crash inspection can confirm. In my own experience, I’ve seen rear-end collisions tied not only to driver error but also to companies that failed to keep their vehicles roadworthy.
At this point, all we know is that traffic had slowed and the box truck failed to stop in time. What’s not yet clear is whether this was purely a driver mistake or if company practices or mechanical issues also played a role.
Key Takeaways
- The main unanswered question is why the box truck didn’t slow with traffic.
- Evidence from black box data, phone records, and in-cab cameras can clarify the driver’s actions.
- Brake condition and vehicle maintenance must also be examined.
- Determining accountability requires more than assuming the driver alone was at fault.
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