Tucson, AZ — November 26, 2024, Rigo Tong was killed in a truck accident at about 9 p.m. on Interstate 10 near Valencia Road.

Authorities said a car rear-ended a pickup that had stopped on the highway for an unknown reason. Both vehicles were then hit by a semi-truck.

The driver of the car, 26-year-old Rigo Tong, died at the scene, according to authorities, while the 40-year-old woman who was driving the pickup was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this point.

The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is not just what happened? but rather, what led to these vehicles being in such a dangerous situation in the first place? Rear-end collisions involving a stopped vehicle are almost never as straightforward as they seem, particularly when an 18-wheeler is involved.

The key legal issue here revolves around why the pickup truck was stopped in the roadway. Was there a mechanical failure, a medical emergency or some other unavoidable circumstance? Or, as the authorities’ charges suggest, was the pickup’s driver negligent in choosing to stop where she did? Most highways are designed with shoulders for emergency stops, and using the active roadway for non-emergencies puts every other driver at risk.

Beyond that, we must also examine the semi-truck’s role. While it might be tempting to focus solely on the stopped pickup, commercial truck drivers and their employers have a responsibility to avoid accidents wherever possible. Did the truck driver have adequate time and distance to stop? Was the truck properly maintained, with functioning brakes and other safety systems? Was the driver distracted or fatigued? These are all crucial questions that need answers through a thorough investigation.

One often-overlooked aspect of crashes like this is the role of trucking company policies. Tight delivery schedules, inadequate training or a lack of emphasis on safe driving practices can contribute to a truck driver’s inability to avoid a collision. If the company did not provide its driver with the tools or training to safely handle such situations, its liability could rival or exceed that of the driver.

Finally, it’s vital to understand how this chain of events led to a preventable loss of life. Accidents like this are rarely the result of a single bad decision. Instead, they are often caused by a series of mistakes, oversights, or failures to prioritize safety.

For the victim's family, this case underscores the importance of a detailed investigation that goes far beyond the crash scene. Identifying every contributing factor — from the pickup driver’s decisions to the semi-truck’s involvement — ensures that the right parties are held accountable and that steps can be taken to prevent similar accidents in the future.