West Plains, MO — June 16, 2025, One person was injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 1:40 P.M. on MO-14.

According to official statements, an 18-wheeler was traveling eastbound on Missouri Highway 14, when for unknown reasons the trailer left the road, pulling the cab along with it.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the driver had sustained serious injuries and transported them to the hospital for treatment. The authorities have not released a cause of the crash, and the driver's identity has not been disclosed at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler’s trailer suddenly leaves the road and pulls the cab with it, most people are left wondering: What could cause something like that? It’s not the kind of thing that just happens on its own. And yet, the early reports don’t offer any clear explanation.

What we do know is that the crash occurred on Missouri Highway 14, that the driver was seriously injured, and that authorities are still working to determine what went wrong. Until they do, the most important questions remain unanswered.

Was This a Mechanical Failure—or Something Else?

The fact that the trailer went off the road first is unusual. In most highway crashes involving 18-wheelers, the cab initiates a maneuver—braking, swerving, or reacting to traffic—and the trailer follows. When the trailer is the first part of the rig to veer off the road, that could point to issues like load imbalance, suspension failure, or even a trailer detachment in progress. Each of those would suggest a serious maintenance or equipment problem.

That’s why reviewing the truck’s maintenance records and electronic data is essential. If something failed mechanically—like a broken axle or coupling component—that needs to be documented. If the truck was carrying an uneven or shifting load, investigators need to know who loaded it and how it was secured.

The Driver’s Role Remains Unclear

We also don’t know whether the driver was reacting to an obstacle, trying to avoid another vehicle, or simply lost control. Driver logs, engine control module (ECM) data, and any available in-cab video can help answer those questions. These tools can show whether the driver applied brakes, swerved, or made other inputs just before the crash.

In one case I handled, a truck veered off the road in a similar fashion. At first, the cause seemed like a mystery. But after pulling the ECM data and dash cam footage, it turned out the driver was trying to correct for a sudden load shift that had nothing to do with driver error. That small detail changed the entire case.

The bottom line is this: a truck doesn’t just steer itself off the road. Something caused this rig to fail, and getting to the truth depends on a detailed, evidence-driven investigation.

Key Takeaways

• Authorities have not yet determined why the 18-wheeler's trailer left the road, pulling the cab with it.
• Mechanical issues, load shifts, or improper weight distribution are all possibilities that need to be investigated.
• Black box data, maintenance records, and driver logs are essential to understanding the crash.
• The trailer’s movement leading the cab suggests an unusual sequence that deserves close attention.
• Accountability can only be determined after all relevant evidence is collected and analyzed.