Lawrence County, MO — August 15, 2025, John Miller was killed in a truck accident at about 5:30 a.m. on Interstate 44 near Mount Vernon.

Authorities said a 2024 Toyota RAV4 was heading east when it hit a deer near mile marker 48. A passenger and the SUV were hit by a semi-truck after to the driver stopped to move the deer out of the road. The truck overturned after the collision.

Passenger John Miller, a 46-year-old Florida resident, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver suffered minor injuries in the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lawrence County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone loses their life after an encounter between a stopped vehicle and an 18-wheeler, the first question we have to ask is: How exactly did the crash happen, and could it have been avoided?

From the initial reports, we know a Toyota RAV4 hit a deer on I-44 near Mount Vernon and came to a stop. One of its occupants got out to move the animal from the road. That’s when a semi-truck reportedly struck the SUV and the passenger outside of it. What’s missing from that version of events are several key details that would help explain why things unfolded the way they did.

To begin with, it's not clear whether the SUV was fully in a lane of travel or pulled over to the shoulder. That distinction is critical. If the vehicle was in an active lane, then we have to ask why. Did the driver not have time to pull off? Was the vehicle disabled after hitting the deer? On the other hand, if it was on the shoulder, that raises deeper concerns about the truck driver’s attentiveness and lane discipline.

It’s also unclear how visible the SUV and pedestrian were at the time. This crash happened around 5:30 a.m., when it was not fully dark, but not fully light either. So was the SUV's hazard lighting on? Was the pedestrian wearing visible clothing or using a flashlight? And just how fast was the truck going in conditions that clearly required extra caution?

These aren't academic questions. They’re factual ones. And they’re the kinds of things that black box data, dash cam footage and driver cell phone records can help clarify. For example, the truck’s engine control module (ECM) should reveal its speed and braking activity in the seconds before the crash. If the truck had a forward-facing camera, and many do, it could show how early the SUV and pedestrian came into view. If the truck driver was distracted by a cell phone, that too can be verified with records.

Even if the truck's actions are ultimately found to be legal under the circumstances, there’s still the question of company policies. Was the driver adequately trained to handle unexpected obstacles like a disabled vehicle in low-light conditions? Did the company ensure he was properly rested and alert before getting behind the wheel?

When I’ve handled cases like this before, I’ve seen how quick assumptions about fault can shift once the full picture comes into focus. Sometimes the truck driver is squarely to blame; other times, poor training, loose oversight or equipment failure play just as big a role. Only a thorough investigation will tell us what really happened on that stretch of I-44.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear whether the SUV was stopped in the road or on the shoulder, which is key information for determining fault.
• Evidence like ECM data, dash cams and cell phone records will be essential to understanding the truck driver’s actions.
• Lighting, visibility and vehicle condition at the time of the crash all need to be reviewed.
• The trucking company’s hiring and training procedures may come under scrutiny depending on what the evidence shows.
• Clear answers can only come from a full investigation, not early assumptions.