1 Injured in 18-Wheeler Accident on I-35 in Eagleville, MO

Eagleville, MO — January 31, 2025, One person was injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 11:50 A.M. on I-35.

An investigation is underway following 18-wheeler accident that left the driver injured during the late morning hours of January 31st. According to official reports, an 18-wheeler was traveling in the northbound lanes of I-35 near West 205th St. when the truck struck multiple potholes causing the semi to lose control and cross into the southbound lanes where it struck an embankment.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the 39-year-old driver from Ohio had sustained serious injuries and transported him to the hospital for treatment. At this time the identity and status of the driver has not been released, along with any additional crash details, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more information may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Whenever I read about an accident like this, my first thought is that I hope the driver recovers fully and that investigators are able to determine exactly what led to the crash. While it may seem like a straightforward case of bad road conditions causing an accident, experience has taught me that crashes like this can often be more complex than they appear at first glance. To get to the bottom of what really happened, there are three critical questions that must be asked.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a thorough investigation of the crash. While law enforcement officers do their best with the time and resources available to them, their primary focus is often clearing the roadway and ensuring public safety rather than conducting an exhaustive analysis of what caused the wreck. In a case like this, a full reconstruction of the crash scene—including an examination of the roadway conditions, the truck’s mechanical state, and potential witness statements—would be necessary to paint a complete picture of what happened. If investigators only look at the potholes as the cause, they may overlook other contributing factors.

The second question that must be asked is whether anyone has considered the possibility of a vehicle defect playing a role in the crash. While striking potholes can certainly cause a vehicle to lose control, the extent of the loss of control could indicate an issue with the truck itself. Did the truck’s suspension or steering system fail in a way that made it impossible for the driver to regain control? Were the tires in good condition, or did a structural defect contribute to a sudden loss of stability? These are critical questions that require a forensic examination of the vehicle before it is repaired or scrapped.

The final question is whether all available electronic data related to the crash has been collected. Modern commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), which store valuable data such as speed, braking patterns, and engine performance leading up to a crash. Additionally, if the truck was equipped with a dash camera or GPS tracking system, those records could provide further insight into what happened. In situations like this, it’s also worth considering whether nearby businesses or traffic cameras captured footage of the incident. Too often, this kind of electronic evidence is overlooked, and once it’s gone, it’s impossible to recover.

At the end of the day, crashes like this demand a careful and thorough investigation. It’s not enough to assume that potholes alone were to blame. The driver and his loved ones deserve clear answers about what went wrong, and the public has an interest in making sure that similar accidents can be prevented in the future. The only way to accomplish that is by ensuring that all three of these critical questions are fully explored.