A crash Tuesday evening at the intersection of Route 31 and Caterpillar Drive in Montgomery, Illinois, left a sedan driver dead after a collision with a semi-truck.
According to police, the crash occurred just after 5:00 p.m. when a black Nissan sedan traveling southbound on Route 31 collided with a northbound semi-truck that was attempting to turn left onto Caterpillar Drive. The semi-truck driver was unable to avoid the crash. The sedan became pinned beneath the semi, and its driver, identified as Jason Messick of Oswego, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Illinois State Police, Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team, and Montgomery Police Department are continuing to investigate the incident.
Whenever I hear about a fatal crash involving a turning semi, I immediately have questions about the attention of the driver. In my experience, these cases often come down to timing and awareness.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Prevented the Truck Driver From Avoiding the Collision?
Left turns at intersections, especially across busy or fast-moving lanes, demand the truck driver’s full attention and sound judgment. In situations like this, where the truck driver reportedly tried to stop but could not avoid the crash, investigators should consider whether distraction or fatigue played a role in delaying the driver's reaction or in the decision to turn.
Fatigue and distraction are among the most common reasons drivers misjudge gaps in traffic or fail to anticipate how quickly other vehicles are approaching. Reviewing the truck driver's hours-of-service logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and any dash cam or in-cab footage will be critical to determining whether the driver was fully alert and making safe decisions at the time of the crash.
Could Mechanical Issues Have Limited the Truck’s Ability to Stop?
Although initial reports suggest the truck driver tried to stop, investigators should also consider whether mechanical problems contributed to the truck’s inability to avoid the collision. Poorly maintained brakes, worn tires, or steering issues can significantly reduce a semi-truck’s ability to stop quickly or maneuver in emergency situations.
A complete inspection of the truck’s braking system, tires, and steering components—as well as a review of its maintenance records—should be conducted to determine whether mechanical failures played a role in the crash.
What Evidence Needs to Be Reviewed
To fully understand how this crash occurred, investigators should analyze Engine Control Module (ECM) data from the semi-truck, which can show pre-impact speed, throttle input, and braking effort. Physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, the position of the vehicles, and debris, will help reconstruct the timing and dynamics of the crash. Any available dash cam footage or traffic camera video could offer additional insight into whether the truck driver had a safe opportunity to make the left turn.
Why Careful Investigation Matters in Intersection Crashes
From my experience, crashes like this are rarely simple. Whether distraction, fatigue, mechanical failure, or other issues contributed to this fatal collision, a thorough investigation is essential to provide answers to those affected and to ensure accountability is based on a full and accurate picture of what happened.