Anthony Delong Killed in Truck Accident on U.S. 33 in Meigs County, OH

Meigs County, OH — January 23, 2026, Anthony Delong lost his life due to a truck accident soon before 7:00 p.m. along U.S. Highway 33.

According to authorities, 35-year-old Anthony Delong was traveling in a westbound Dodge Durango on U.S. 33 when the accident took place; news reports have not specified the exact location of the wreck.

Officials indicate that for as yet unknown reasons, an east-facing Peterbilt 18-wheeler that was apparently attempting to reverse into a private lot entered the westbound lane of the highway. A collision consequently occurred between the Durango and the back of the Peterbilt’s trailer.

Delong—who had reportedly sustained fatal injuries due to the crash—was declared deceased at the scene. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler reverses into a highway lane and a passing motorist is killed as a result, the central legal question is why the truck was maneuvering that way at all—and whether it was done safely and lawfully. Backing a commercial truck into a private lot across traffic is inherently risky. Doing so on an active highway, at dusk or after dark, raises serious concerns about judgment, planning, and visibility.

Based on the limited information available, it appears the trailer extended into the path of westbound traffic while the truck was reversing eastbound. That maneuver is extremely difficult to justify without proper traffic control, lighting, and sufficient sight distance for approaching drivers to react. If the trailer crossed into an active travel lane without warning or adequate visibility, it could have left the other driver with no realistic chance to avoid impact.

To fully understand what happened, investigators need to examine:

• Why the truck was reversing across highway lanes, and whether there were alternate, safer access points to the property;
• Whether the truck driver used a spotter, which is standard safety protocol in any backing maneuver with obstructed visibility;
• What visibility conditions were like, including lighting, weather, and whether the trailer had proper reflectors and working lights;
• ECM and dash cam data, which may show how fast the truck was moving and how long it had been blocking the westbound lane;
• Whether the trucking company had policies or training in place to prevent dangerous reversing maneuvers on public roads.

I’ve seen cases where truck drivers attempted similar access maneuvers under pressure to meet delivery schedules, especially in rural areas where lots are unmarked or driveways are hard to reach. But whatever the reason, the law holds commercial drivers to a higher standard—especially when their choices affect public roadways.

Key Takeaways:

• Reversing a tractor-trailer into a private lot across a highway lane is an inherently dangerous maneuver that demands strong justification.
• The investigation must focus on visibility, signaling, and whether proper safety measures—like spotters or traffic control—were in place.
• The presence of the trailer in the westbound lane raises questions about whether the victim had any opportunity to avoid the crash.
• ECM and dash cam footage may help reconstruct the timing and positioning of both vehicles.
• Accountability in cases like this often comes down to whether the maneuver was necessary—and whether it was performed with proper precautions.