Hartford, MI — December 2, 2024, David Hole was killed in a truck accident at about 1 p.m. on Interstate 94 in southern Michigan.

Authorities said David Hole's truck was part of a 17-vehicle pile-up in the westbound lanes of the snowy highway between Hartford and Watervleit. The Van Buren County crash involved three semi-trucks and 14 cars, with at least 15 other vehicles sliding off the road in separate crashes.

David Hole's truck was struck from behind by an unidentified vehicle in the pile-up, authorities said.

David Hole, 71, died the next day at a Grand Rapids hospital after suffering critical injuries in the crash, according to authorities. No other injuries have been reported from the pile-up.

Authorities have not released any further details about the crash at this point.

Investigators reportedly believe some drivers were going too fast for the road conditions, with heavy snow reducing visibility.

The crash remains under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Analyzing a crash like this one, where multiple vehicles were involved in a pile-up during snowy conditions, raises important legal questions about negligence and liability. From my perspective, the key concern isn’t just who hit whom. It’s about understanding why this collision escalated into such a chain reaction.

First and foremost, weather conditions like heavy snow and reduced visibility do not absolve drivers of responsibility. Every motorist has a legal duty to adjust their driving to the road and weather conditions. If investigators find that drivers were traveling too fast for those conditions, it could establish negligence. However, determining liability in a pile-up is rarely straightforward because multiple vehicles contribute to the chaos.

In cases like this, questions must be asked about the decisions made by each driver leading up to the collision. Were they following at a safe distance? Did they attempt to stop or slow down when conditions worsened? Gathering evidence such as dashcam footage, skid marks or vehicle black box data can provide insight into the actions of individual drivers.

Beyond the actions of individual motorists, crashes involving commercial trucks demand an even deeper examination. Were the trucks properly maintained, especially their brakes? Did the trucking companies ensure their drivers were adequately trained for hazardous weather conditions? It’s not uncommon for companies to prioritize schedules over safety, potentially pressuring drivers to push through unsafe conditions. Such practices could shift a significant portion of liability to the trucking companies.

Finally, while snow and ice are contributing factors, investigators must examine whether the roadway design or maintenance played a role. Were there adequate warnings about icy conditions? Was the road properly treated with salt or sand to minimize hazards? Local authorities may bear partial responsibility if roadways were not adequately prepared for winter weather.

Determining the cause of a pile-up and assigning fault requires an exhaustive investigation. That investigation shouldn’t stop with the drivers involved but must also extend to the trucking companies, vehicle maintenance records, and even roadway management. Only then can the full story of what happened—and why—come to light.