A 20-year-old man from Mobile was killed Sunday evening in a multi-vehicle crash involving two semi-trucks on Interstate 10, just west of the city of Mobile.
According to authorities, the crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. near mile marker 14. Reports say Hayley B. Terry was driving a 2004 Ford F150 when it was struck by a 2005 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by 70-year-old David S. Clark of Avon Park, Florida. After the initial impact, the F150 collided with a second 18-wheeler—a 2018 Kenworth driven by Franklin M. Fajardo of Houston, Texas. Terry died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Whenever I come across a crash involving multiple commercial vehicles and a passenger truck, I start thinking about how each factor contributed to the chain of events. In my experience, these situations often raise questions that can only be answered through a detailed and well-documented investigation.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Been a Factor for the First Truck Driver?
One of the first questions that often comes up in commercial vehicle crashes is whether the truck driver was fully alert and attentive. At highway speeds, a momentary lapse in focus, whether due to distraction or fatigue, can have serious consequences.
Investigators will likely review the truck driver’s hours-of-service records to determine how long he had been on the road before the crash. They may also analyze cell phone records and dash cam footage, if available, to see whether anything took the driver’s attention off the road in the critical moments leading up to the collision.
Could Mechanical Issues With the Semi Have Played a Role?
In addition to driver attentiveness, the condition of the semi-truck itself may be a factor worth exploring. For example, investigators should examine whether the Kenworth’s braking system, tires, and lights were in proper working order. Even a minor mechanical failure can limit a truck driver’s ability to respond to changes in traffic.
Was All the Relevant Evidence Collected?
A full understanding of this crash depends on the quality and completeness of the evidence gathered. The first truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) can provide valuable data on speed, braking, and throttle use just before the impact. Investigators should also document skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and statements from witnesses to reconstruct how the crash unfolded.
In cases involving multiple large trucks, it’s particularly important to determine how each vehicle interacted and what role—if any—driver behavior or vehicle issues may have played in the sequence of events.
Why It’s Important to Ask Questions
When a crash involves more than one semi-truck and leads to a fatality, there are often more layers to the story than initial reports can show. In my experience, the only way to truly understand what happened and why is through a thorough investigation. That process helps provide clear answers to those affected by the accident.