Allen County, IN — August 4, 2025, Two people were injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around :00 P.M. on Interstate 69.

According to reports, an SUV was traveling south on Interstate 69 near mile marker 293 when it rear-ended another SUV, pushing it into the rear of an 18-wheeler.

When first responders arrived they found the driver and juvenile passenger of the second SUV seriously injured, along with the male driver of the first SUV, and they were taken to the hospital where their condition remains unknown. Officials have not released an update on the investigation's status which is ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

The first thing that jumps out at me here is how many critical details are missing from the reports. We know the second SUV was pushed into the back of an 18-wheeler, but we don’t yet know whether the truck was moving at highway speed, slowing for traffic, or stopped altogether. Each of those scenarios points to very different questions about what happened and who might bear responsibility.

For example, if the 18-wheeler was stopped in a live lane, investigators would want to know why—and whether there were warning signals or hazard lights in use. If it was moving, the focus might shift to whether the second SUV was following too closely or was suddenly forced to slow by the truck’s actions.

From my experience, answering those questions requires more than just reading the police report. The truck’s engine control module (“black box”) could show its exact speed, brake use, and throttle position at the time of impact. In-cab cameras, if installed, could reveal traffic conditions and driver behavior in the seconds before the crash. Cell phone records from all drivers involved could clarify whether distraction played a role.

It’s also important to determine whether the trucking company’s practices contributed to the situation. Was the driver properly trained to handle slowing or stopping in high-speed traffic? Did company policies encourage unsafe scheduling that increased the risk of sudden stops? Without gathering and analyzing this kind of hard evidence, there’s no reliable way to identify the right party—or parties—to hold accountable.

Key Takeaways:

• Reports don’t yet explain whether the 18-wheeler was moving or stopped, which changes the analysis.
• The truck’s black box, cameras, and driver phone records are crucial for determining events leading up to the crash.
• Company policies and driver training should be examined for potential contributing factors.
• Only a thorough investigation can reveal who is actually responsible.