Late Sunday night, a fatal crash occurred in Des Plaines, Illinois, involving a Toyota Prius and a semi-truck on Algonquin Road near Leslie Lane. According to police, the Prius was traveling eastbound when it struck the rear of a Volvo semi-truck. A passenger in the Prius, identified as 49-year-old Nazly Rodriguez-Munoz of Des Plaines, suffered severe leg injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died. There are allegations that the semi-truck appeared to be parked on the side of the road with no lights on. The crash remains under investigation.
When a passenger vehicle strikes the rear of a semi-truck, the first assumption might be that the smaller vehicle was following too closely or wasn’t paying attention, but that isn’t always the full story. How the truck was being operated at the time can make all the difference in determining what caused the crash.
Was the Semi-Truck Properly Lit and Visible?
One of the key questions in this crash is whether the semi-truck had its lights on and was clearly visible to approaching traffic. If the truck was stopped or moving very slowly on a dark roadway without proper lighting, that could have created a dangerous and unexpected hazard. Commercial vehicles are required to use lights and reflective markings so that they can be seen at night, especially if they are stationary or obstructing part of a lane. Investigators will likely examine the truck’s lighting systems and whether they were functioning properly at the time of the crash.
Was the Truck Moving or Illegally Parked?
Conflicting accounts from the drivers raise another important question—was the truck stopped on the side of the road, or was it simply moving at a low speed? If it was parked in an active traffic lane or on the shoulder without hazard lights or warning devices, that could suggest the driver failed to follow proper safety protocols. On the other hand, if the truck was moving slowly for a legitimate reason, investigators will need to determine whether it was doing so in a predictable and lawful manner.
Could Mechanical Problems Have Played a Role?
If the semi-truck was moving unusually slowly or was stopped in or near a traffic lane, investigators may need to consider whether a mechanical problem played a role. Issues like engine failure, transmission trouble, electrical faults, or malfunctioning lights could have limited the truck’s visibility or ability to move safely with traffic. Investigators will likely review the vehicle’s maintenance history, conduct a mechanical inspection, and determine whether any equipment failure contributed to the crash.
Important Evidence to Help Understand the Crash
To determine what really happened, investigators will likely review dashcam footage, lighting and reflector functionality, and data from the semi-truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM), which may provide information on speed, throttle, and braking. Physical evidence from the scene like impact angles, skid marks, and debris will also be critical in establishing the truck’s position and movement at the time of the crash.
Why Every Detail Deserves Careful Examination
A crash like this requires more than a surface-level review. Whether the truck was parked without lights or moving too slowly for conditions, a full investigation can help determine whether it was being operated safely and lawfully. In my experience, these cases often hinge on small but important details that can explain what the passenger vehicle encountered.