Charlotte, NC — June 12, 2025, One person was injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 8:54 A.M. on I-85.

According to official reports, an 18-wheeler was traveling north on Interstate 85 near Tuckaseegee Road, when for unknown reasons it veered off the road and struck the pillars of an overpass causing severe damage. It does not appear that any other vehicle were involved in the crash.

When first responders arrive don the scene they found the driver injured, and transported them to the hospital in unknown condition. As authorities continue to investigate the accident, additional information such as the driver's name and what caused the crash may be released.

Commentary

When an 18-wheeler leaves the roadway and crashes into an overpass, people naturally want to know: What went wrong? A crash like this doesn’t just end with vehicle damage—it can threaten the structural integrity of major highway infrastructure and endanger countless others who might be passing through that same spot minutes later. So while the reports confirm that no other vehicles were involved, that doesn't mean this is a simple case.

What Remains Unanswered

Authorities say the truck veered off Interstate 85 and hit an overpass support near Tuckaseegee Road, but haven’t said why. Was the driver drowsy or distracted? Did a mechanical failure occur—like a blown tire or brake failure? Could a medical episode have played a role? At this point, we simply don’t know.

And without a second vehicle involved, there’s no immediate external explanation—no sudden cut-off, no weather report mentioned, no visible obstruction cited. That narrows the focus to what was happening inside the cab or with the vehicle itself.

How the Evidence Can Speak

Crashes like this underscore the importance of recovering onboard data. Most commercial trucks are equipped with an engine control module (ECM) that records the truck’s speed, braking, steering input, and throttle position leading up to the moment of impact. If the truck was outfitted with a forward-facing or in-cab camera, that could reveal whether the driver was alert, talking on a phone, or reacting to something unexpected.

Investigators will also likely look into:

• The driver’s recent hours of service to check for fatigue
• Maintenance logs and inspection records
• The company’s hiring and training procedures
• Cell phone records, if distraction is suspected

These are the building blocks of a real investigation—not just to understand how the crash happened, but to determine whether it could have been prevented.

Why Accountability Isn’t Always Obvious

Sometimes it turns out a crash like this was the result of a genuine medical emergency. Other times, deeper investigation reveals a pattern of carelessness—either on the driver’s part or the trucking company’s. I've handled cases where the driver had no business being behind the wheel due to medical or disciplinary history, and no one from the company had done the homework to check.

Until the facts are known, we can’t make assumptions—but we can insist on answers.

Key Takeaways:

• The reason the 18-wheeler left the roadway and struck the overpass remains unknown.
• No other vehicles were involved, which shifts the focus to the truck’s operation and the driver’s condition.
• Critical data from the truck’s ECM and any available cameras can help reconstruct the moments before the crash.
• Investigators will need to review driver history, hours of service, maintenance logs, and possible distraction or impairment.
• Understanding what went wrong isn’t about assigning blame—it’s about finding the truth and preventing the next crash.