Crittenden County, AR — January 29, 2026, Matthew Coles was killed and Ronnie Black, Zivko Josipovic and one other were injured in a truck accident at about 7:45 a.m. on Interstate 55 near Marion.
Authorities said a northbound 2019 Freightliner semi-truck collided with a 2017 Freightliner semi-truck that was entering the interstate from a rest area, then crossed into southbound traffic and crashed head-on into a 2006 Honda Accord.
Honda driver Matthew Coles, 43, of Marion died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities, while a minor riding with him was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Truck drivers Ronnie Black, 50, and Zivko Josipovic, 57, were hospitalized as well, authorities said, but the extent of their injuries in not clear.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Crittenden County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people read about a crash like this, the first questions are simple and fair: How did two tractor-trailers end up colliding, and how did that turn into a head-on crash with a passenger car? We also have to ask whether we’re getting the full story yet, because right now, we aren’t.
What we know is that one semi-truck was already traveling northbound on Interstate 55, while another semi-truck was entering the interstate from a rest area. They collided, and after that impact, one of the trucks crossed into southbound lanes and struck a car head-on. That sequence alone raises several unanswered questions that matter for accountability.
It’s not clear how the truck entering from the rest area merged into traffic. We don’t yet know whether the northbound truck had time or space to react, or whether speed, distraction or timing played a role. We also don’t know what caused the truck to cross into oncoming traffic after the initial collision. Depending on whether the truck was still under control or became disabled, very different responsibility issues arise.
This is where evidence matters more than early assumptions. A proper investigation should look at the engine control module data from both trucks to see speed, braking and throttle use before impact. If either truck had in-cab cameras, that footage could show whether the driver was attentive and what traffic conditions looked like at the moment of the crash. Cell phone records can help answer whether distraction played any role. Dash cameras from other vehicles may also exist, especially on a busy interstate during morning hours.
There are also questions beyond the drivers themselves. What were the trucking companies’ policies for entering highways from rest areas? Were the drivers properly trained on merging procedures in heavy traffic? Had either driver logged excessive hours, or were they under pressure to meet a schedule? These are not side issues; they often explain why a crash unfolded the way it did.
I’ve handled cases where the initial police report focused on the final impact, but the real cause was something that happened seconds earlier and miles before on a data log or camera file. Until that evidence is gathered and reviewed, blaming any one person is premature. The goal isn’t to rush to judgment; it’s to understand exactly how this chain reaction started and who had the ability, and responsibility, to prevent it.
Key Takeaways
- A collision involving multiple tractor-trailers raises complex questions that can’t be answered by a brief crash report.
- It’s not yet clear how the truck entering the interstate merged or why another truck crossed into oncoming traffic.
- Black box data, in-cab cameras and phone records are critical to understanding what happened.
- Responsibility may extend beyond drivers to company policies, training and oversight.
- Real accountability only comes after all available evidence is collected and analyzed.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us