Pattonsburg, MO — January 5, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 10:15 a.m. on Interstate 35 in Daviess County.

Authorities said a 2025 Kenworth semi-truck was headed south when it rear-ended a 2024 Volkswagen semi-truck. The impact forced the Kenworth to jackknife and slide off the west side of the road. The Volkswagen was able to come to a controlled stop on the shoulder.

The Kenworth driver, a 62-year-old Iowa man, was transported to a local hospital after the crash, according to authorities. His truck had to be towed from the scene.

The Volkswagen driver, a 23-year-old man from Connecticut, was not injured, authorities said. His truck was still drivable after the crash.

Authorities have not released any more information about the crash, including the names of the drivers.

The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves one semi-truck rear-ending another, my first question is why the trailing vehicle was unable to stop in time. Collisions between large trucks can often point to issues like following distance, driver attentiveness or mechanical problems with the vehicles.

In this case, the rear-ending semi-truck jackknifed after the impact, which raises questions about the speed at which it was traveling and whether its brakes were functioning properly. Investigators will likely review data from the truck’s engine control module to understand its speed, braking activity and throttle usage leading up to the crash. Mechanical issues, such as worn brakes or unbalanced loads, should also be examined as potential contributors to the loss of control.

Another important factor is whether the other semi-truck was slowing down or stopping at the time of the crash. Was the leading truck responding to traffic conditions, road hazards or something else that might have required the trailing truck to react suddenly? Investigators should look into the traffic flow at that time, as well as whether any roadway design features or environmental conditions, such as wet pavement or reduced visibility, may have played a role.

The fact that the Volkswagen driver was able to bring his vehicle to a controlled stop on the shoulder suggests he had sufficient time to react to the situation. This raises further questions about why the trailing Kenworth driver was unable to do the same. Was the driver distracted or fatigued? Investigators will need to examine driving logs, witness statements and other evidence to determine whether human error was a factor.

Lastly, the jackknife and subsequent off-road slide highlight the challenges of regaining control of a large truck after an impact. While the Kenworth’s loss of control ended in a ditch, it could have been much worse had other vehicles been nearby. This underscores the importance of maintaining safe following distances and being prepared for sudden changes in traffic.

A thorough investigation into the actions of both drivers, the mechanical condition of the vehicles and the roadway environment will be essential to understanding what led to this crash and exploring strategies to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.