Burr Ridge, IL — June 24, 2025, One person was injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 6:00 A.M. on Interstate 55.

According to reports, an 18-wheeler was traveling on Interstate 55 in the northbound lanes when fior unknown reasons it lost control and rolled over, spilling hazardous materials on the roadway.

First responders arrived and transported the drive to the hospital for treatment of injuries of unknown severity. No other injuries were reported, and at at his time officials have not released the identity of the driver or what may have caused the accident.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler rolls over on a major interstate and spills hazardous materials, the situation raises two serious concerns: what caused the crash, and what risks did the spilled cargo pose to the public? According to reports, this incident occurred on the northbound side of Interstate 55, and while the driver was taken to the hospital, no other injuries have been reported. The cause of the rollover has not been determined, and officials have not disclosed the nature of the hazardous materials involved.

Rollover Crashes Are Rarely Without Warning

Rollover crashes don’t happen in a vacuum—especially when it comes to 18-wheelers. These vehicles are designed to handle the road under heavy loads, but when a truck tips over, it's often due to a combination of speed, instability, or abrupt driver input. That’s why it’s important to know whether the driver swerved, braked hard, or was reacting to something unexpected on the road.

Black box data from the truck can help answer those questions. It can show how fast the truck was traveling, when and how the brakes were applied, and what steering inputs were made in the seconds before the rollover. If a mechanical failure occurred—such as a tire blowout or brake malfunction—that too should show up in maintenance records and post-crash inspections.

Hazardous Materials Raise the Stakes

When a truck is carrying hazardous cargo, every part of the operation—from loading to route planning to emergency response—has higher stakes. These materials aren’t just dangerous during transport; they can pose serious risks to first responders, nearby motorists, and the surrounding environment if spilled.

That’s why a proper investigation must also focus on what materials were being hauled, how they were packaged, and whether they were properly secured. I’ve seen cases where a chemical load shifted unexpectedly, contributing to instability that made a rollover more likely. Even if the cargo didn’t directly cause the crash, it adds a layer of regulatory responsibility to the trucking company’s role.

The Trucking Company’s Role Needs Review

Depending on what the investigation uncovers, the company responsible for the vehicle could face scrutiny not just for how the truck was maintained and loaded, but also for how well the driver was trained to handle hazardous materials. Federal regulations impose specific requirements on carriers that haul dangerous goods, including driver certifications, vehicle markings, and safety protocols.

If any of those standards were ignored or poorly implemented, that could mean this wasn’t just a driver losing control—it could be a breakdown in company oversight.

Key Takeaways

• The cause of the rollover is still unknown, but speed, driver input, or mechanical failure are all possible contributing factors.
• Black box data and maintenance records will be key to understanding what led to the crash.
• The presence of hazardous materials raises additional concerns about cargo handling, packaging, and regulatory compliance.
• The trucking company’s training and safety procedures should be reviewed to ensure proper handling of hazardous loads.
• A full investigation is essential to determine whether the crash was preventable and who may be held responsible.