Pend Orielle County, WA — February 21, 2025, Austin Fuller was killed in a truck accident at about noon on U.S. Route 2 west of Newport.

Authorities said a northbound semi-truck moved into the southbound lane to pass a car that was turning. The truck hit the driver's side of an oncoming vehicle.

The driver of that vehicle, Austin R. Fuller, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Anytime a crash involves a semi-truck moving into oncoming traffic, the most pressing question is whether that maneuver was necessary and executed safely. In this case, reports suggest the truck driver moved into the southbound lane to pass a turning car, but that decision ultimately led to a fatal collision. That raises serious concerns about whether the truck driver followed the basic rules of safe passing.

Passing on a two-lane highway is always a calculated risk, but professional truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other motorists. That’s because they’re operating massive vehicles with longer stopping distances, larger blind spots and less room for error. Given that, a trucker should never attempt to pass unless they have a completely clear path to do so. If the truck driver in this case misjudged the timing, failed to see oncoming traffic, or tried to squeeze into too small of a gap, that would be a serious failure in judgment.

Another factor worth considering is whether this particular stretch of road was even a safe place for a truck to pass. Were there any visibility issues, like curves, hills or obstacles that may have prevented the driver from seeing far enough ahead? Was there a passing zone, or was the driver attempting a risky move in an area where passing wasn’t allowed? Investigators should be looking at those details.

Beyond that, I have to wonder if company policies played a role. Was this driver under pressure to maintain a tight schedule, leading them to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t? That’s not speculation: I’ve seen it happen before. Some trucking companies create unrealistic expectations for deliveries, forcing drivers into situations where they feel they have to push the limits of safety. If that was a factor here, then the company itself should be scrutinized, not just the driver.

At the end of the day, semi-trucks don’t belong in oncoming traffic unless there is absolutely no other option and they can do so safely. This crash raises serious doubts about whether that was the case here. Hopefully, investigators take the time to dig into the details, because if a truck driver made a reckless decision, it shouldn’t just be treated as an unavoidable accident.