Late Monday night, a crash involving two tractor-trailers on Interstate 81 in Sullivan County sent one driver to the hospital and temporarily blocked a portion of the highway. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 11 p.m. near Exit 57. Reports indicate that the first semi-truck began to jackknife and struck a roadside sign before coming to rest in the right travel lane. Moments later, a second tractor-trailer, also southbound in the right lane, collided with the disabled vehicle. The driver of the first truck was transported to a nearby hospital. The second driver was not reported injured.
Whenever I see reports of a semi-truck jackknifing on the highway, I start thinking about what may have led to the loss of control, particularly whether mechanical issues or poor maintenance may have contributed. With multiple large vehicles involved and relatively sparse information, a close review of both trucks is essential to understanding how this crash unfolded.
Could Mechanical Failures Have Played a Role?
Jackknife crashes often point to problems with braking systems or trailer stability, issues that may be mechanical in nature. For example, malfunctioning anti-lock braking systems (ABS), uneven brake pressure, or worn tires can all increase the risk of a trailer swinging out during a sudden maneuver or while braking at highway speeds. Investigators should inspect the brake lines, tires, and load balance of the first truck to determine if a preventable equipment failure caused the vehicle to lose control.
Likewise, the second semi-truck’s ability or inability to avoid the disabled truck raises its own questions. If the vehicle’s forward collision warning system failed to detect the obstacle, or if its braking response was delayed due to equipment wear, those are issues that need to be carefully examined. Nighttime visibility also brings maintenance factors like headlight strength, reflective markings, and trailer lighting into play.
What Information Should Investigators Review?
To get a clear picture of what happened, investigators should examine the Engine Control Modules (ECMs) on both trucks, which can provide data about speed, brake application, and throttle input leading up to the crash. Inspection of the brake components, tires, and steering mechanisms on both vehicles could help identify whether either truck had mechanical deficiencies that contributed to the crash.
In addition to the mechanical inspection, gathering dashcam footage (if available), driver logs, and witness statements can help piece together a timeline of events and clarify how quickly each driver was able to respond.
Why a Detailed Review Is So Important
In my experience handling commercial truck crash cases, I’ve learned that collisions between two semis are rarely straightforward. Even when a crash appears to be caused by one truck losing control, underlying issues like brake failure, poor maintenance, or defective components may have created the conditions for the accident. A careful and thorough investigation is the only way to determine exactly why this crash happened.