A late-night collision involving a stalled Nissan sedan and a semi-truck claimed one life and left another person injured on Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway. According to Illinois State Police, the crash occurred around 11:35 p.m. Friday in the inbound lanes of I-94 near 59th Street. Reports indicate the sedan was stalled in an inside lane when it was struck by the semi, which was unable to stop in time. Video footage shows the front end of the semi partially pinned over the sedan. The driver of the sedan was pronounced dead at the hospital, while a passenger sustained injuries. All lanes were reopened early Saturday morning after a full closure and investigation at the scene.
Crashes like this for me raise several questions about the truck driver’s actions and the condition of the truck itself. In my experience, even when a vehicle stalls, there’s usually more to examine about how the truck responded—or didn’t—leading up to the impact.
Was the Semi-Truck Following Too Closely or Distracted?
When a semi-truck rear-ends a stalled or slowed vehicle, it’s important to consider whether the driver was maintaining a safe following distance or was distracted at the time. A commercial vehicle’s stopping distance is significantly greater than that of a passenger car, especially at highway speeds. If the truck driver wasn’t attentive or didn’t give themselves enough distance to stop, that could have played a major role in the severity of the crash.
Could Mechanical Issues Have Played a Role?
Another possibility is that a mechanical failure with the semi-truck prevented the driver from stopping in time. Investigators should examine whether the truck's braking system, steering components, or warning systems were functioning properly. In some past cases I’ve seen, issues like worn brake pads or delayed maintenance contributed to collisions that might otherwise have been avoidable.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
To determine how and why this collision happened, investigators will need to examine several key pieces of evidence. This includes the semi-truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM), which can show data on speed, braking, and throttle use in the moments leading up to the crash. Dashcam footage, roadway debris patterns, and any available surveillance video from nearby overpasses could help reconstruct the incident. Additionally, cell phone data and driver logs may shed light on whether fatigue or distraction played a part.
Why a Full Investigation is Critical
When a crash like this leads to someone’s death, it’s important to understand exactly what happened and why. In my experience, commercial vehicle collisions often involve factors that aren’t obvious at first. A thorough investigation helps make sure that all the details are uncovered so the people affected can get answers.