A crash involving two tractor-trailers on eastbound Interstate 70 near Mile Markers 13 and 14 in Ohio County left one driver hospitalized and another with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, the collision occurred when one semi-truck rear-ended another. Officials reported that one of the truck drivers was ejected from their vehicle and transported to a hospital for treatment, while the second driver was evaluated at the scene for less serious injuries. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
Whenever I hear about a rear-end collision between two semi-trucks, I think about the critical importance of maintaining safe following distances and full attention. In my experience, rear-end crashes between commercial trucks often point to questions of reaction time, distraction, and whether mechanical issues may have prevented a driver from avoiding a collision.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Prevented the Driver From Reacting?
When one semi-truck rear-ends another, investigators must carefully consider whether distraction or fatigue impaired the following driver’s ability to recognize and respond to slowing traffic ahead. Even momentary lapses in focus, such as checking a device or simply zoning out, can lead to serious accidents.
Investigators should review the truck driver’s hours-of-service logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, cell phone data, and any available dash cam footage to assess whether distraction, drowsiness, or inadequate rest played a role. Understanding the driver’s level of attentiveness will be key to explaining how and why the collision occurred.
Could Mechanical Issues Have Contributed to the Crash?
Beyond driver attention, it’s also important to examine whether mechanical problems, such as brake failure, steering issues, or tire problems, may have prevented the driver from slowing down or stopping in time. In my experience, even a fully alert driver can be powerless to avoid a crash if their truck’s systems are compromised.
Investigators should inspect both tractor-trailers involved in the crash and review maintenance records, paying close attention to the braking systems and tires. Confirming that both trucks were in safe operating condition is an essential part of fully understanding the circumstances of the crash.
Key Evidence That Should Be Reviewed
To reconstruct how this collision unfolded, investigators should collect data from the Engine Control Module (ECM) of the rear-ending semi-truck, which can provide information about speed, throttle input, and braking efforts immediately before impact. Physical evidence at the scene, including skid marks, vehicle resting positions, and debris patterns, will also be critical. If dash cam footage is available, it could shed light on the traffic conditions at the time and whether any evasive maneuvers were attempted.
Why Every Detail Deserves Careful Examination
From my experience, crashes between commercial vehicles are rarely the result of a single lapse in judgment. They typically reflect a combination of factors—ranging from driver distraction or fatigue to possible mechanical failures—that require careful and thorough investigation. Fully understanding these crashes is the only way to determine what happened and provide answers to those affected by them.