St. Clair County, IL — August 11, 2025, Three people were injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred Monday night on I-64.
According to reports, an 18-wheeler car hauler was traveling west on Interstate 64 near Illinois 111 when it struck a bridge and stopped before being struck by a second 18-wheeler pulling two trailers.
When first responders arrived they found a man and a woman critically injured and transported them to the hospital, while a third man had life-threatening injuries and was stabilized at the scene before being transported to the hospital. The identities of those involved have not been released, and officials have not given an update on the status of the investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people read about two 18-wheelers colliding, one question often comes to mind right away: How did the first truck end up striking the bridge in the first place? That’s not a minor detail—it’s the starting point for figuring out who’s responsible for the chain of events that followed. Right now, there’s no information about why that happened. Was the driver going too fast? Was there a mechanical failure? Did something in the cargo shift and affect control of the truck? Until investigators determine that, we’re missing a key piece of the puzzle.
Once the first truck stopped, it’s also important to ask how the second truck pulling two trailers came to strike it. Depending on whether the stopped truck was visible and properly marked, or whether the second driver had enough distance to react, different questions about fault come into play. Both trucks’ engine control modules (ECMs) could provide hard data about speed, braking, and throttle in the moments before impact. In-cab cameras, if present, could also show driver actions and roadway conditions.
It’s not clear whether the bridge strike itself caused debris or lane blockages that made the second crash unavoidable, or whether other factors—like weather, lighting, or driver distraction—played a role. That’s why a full investigation would need to include driver logbooks, cell phone records, vehicle maintenance histories, and possibly inspection of the bridge for preexisting damage or hazards.
From my experience, collisions involving multiple commercial trucks rarely boil down to a single error. Often, the investigation uncovers a sequence of decisions—by drivers, companies, or even contractors—that combined to create the conditions for the crash. Only by collecting all available evidence can we know which of those decisions mattered most.
Key Takeaways:
- Multi-truck crashes often involve multiple contributing factors, not just one mistake.
- The cause of the first truck’s bridge strike remains unknown and is central to determining responsibility.
- ECM data, in-cab cameras, and cell phone records can help clarify each driver’s actions.
- Both the stopped truck’s visibility and the following truck’s reaction time will be key investigative issues.
- A thorough investigation should examine driver histories, maintenance records, and bridge conditions.
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