Columbia County, WI — July 18, 2025, four people were killed and four others were injured in a truck accident at about 6:45 a.m. on Interstate 90/Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Highway.

Authorities said a semi-truck crashed into several other vehicles near Highway K, where traffic was backed up after two earlier accidents. The chain-reaction impact involved seven other vehicles, including two semi-trucks, a dump truck and four passenger cars.

Four people died in the crash east of Lodi, according to authorities, while four other suffered unspecified injuries. Their names have not been made public yet.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Columbia County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a crash like the one on I-90 near Lodi, where four people lost their lives and four more were injured, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: How could this happen on a highway already backed up from earlier accidents? That’s not just a matter of curiosity; it’s a question of accountability.

From what’s been reported so far, a semi-truck plowed into vehicles that were already stopped or slowed due to two previous crashes. That tells us traffic congestion wasn’t sudden or unexpected. So the central issue becomes: Why didn’t the truck driver slow down in time? Until authorities release more information, we’re left with a lot of unanswered questions.

Was the driver distracted, possibly using a cell phone? Did the truck have in-cab cameras or electronic logging devices that could help show what the driver was doing in the moments before impact? What about the truck’s engine control module, or “black box?" That data can tell us when the brakes were applied, how fast the truck was going and whether the driver tried to avoid the collision. Without answers to those questions, it's impossible to know if this was a case of driver negligence or something else entirely.

Another key issue is whether the trucking company had done its due diligence. Was the driver properly trained to handle traffic backups, a common hazard in long-haul driving? What was the company’s hiring process like? In past cases I've handled, I’ve uncovered companies that skipped meaningful driver vetting, putting poorly qualified drivers behind the wheel of 80,000-pound vehicles. If that happened here, it wouldn't just be the driver who’s responsible; it would raise serious questions about the company’s hiring and training policies.

It’s also worth noting this crash involved at least three commercial vehicles. That raises the possibility that more than one truck may have failed to adjust to conditions. If multiple drivers missed the cues of backed-up traffic, that could suggest a larger pattern of inattention or even fatigue; again, something that can be verified through logbooks and camera footage.

Ultimately, getting to the truth requires evidence, not assumptions. That means investigators — and if necessary, independent experts — must secure and analyze everything from dash cams to cell records to maintenance logs. Only then can we understand what went wrong and who’s truly accountable.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s not yet clear why the semi-truck failed to stop for slowed or stopped traffic, making driver distraction or inattention possible concerns.
• Critical evidence like black box data, camera footage and phone records will be essential to determine fault.
• Multiple commercial vehicles were involved, raising questions about whether more than one driver or company contributed to the crash.
• Trucking company hiring and training practices may be relevant depending on the driver’s history and experience.
• Real accountability depends on gathering and analyzing hard evidence, not just relying on initial reports.