Le Roy, NY — August 22, 2025, Brianna Walsh and Mallen Mello were killed in a dump truck accident at about 6:20 a.m. on Griswold Road.

Authorities said a sedan was headed west on Griswold Road when it collided with a dump truck that was hauling a trailer on West Bergen Road.

Sedan driver Brianna Walsh, 20, and passenger Mallen Mello, 20, died in the crash, according to authorities.

The dump truck driver was not hurt, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Genesee County crash at this time.

Commentary

When two people are killed in a collision involving a dump truck hauling a trailer, most folks reasonably want to know: How did this happen? Did someone fail to yield? Was the truck moving or stopped? Was the sedan where it was supposed to be? Unfortunately, the brief reports available so far don’t answer those questions. They only tell us the outcome.

Based on what's been released, a sedan reportedly collided with a dump truck and trailer at the intersection of Griswold Road and West Bergen Road around 6:20 a.m. That leaves a lot of daylight between what happened and why it happened. Depending on whether the truck was entering the intersection, turning or already stopped, very different legal questions arise.

For example, if the truck was making a wide turn or pulling into the intersection from a side road, then we’d want to examine whether the driver had a clear line of sight or whether they cut off the approaching sedan. If the sedan ran into the side or rear of a stopped vehicle, then we’d need to consider visibility. Was the truck properly lit? Was it blocking the road unexpectedly?

Whatever the situation, this isn’t something that can be figured out just by reading a police report. The first step in any serious crash investigation should be securing the evidence that tells the story. That includes black box data from the truck’s engine control module, dash camera footage if installed and the driver’s call or text history. Time of day matters too, since 6:20 a.m. may mean low light or sun glare could affect visibility.

Beyond what happened at the crash scene, there’s also the question of whether the dump truck driver was qualified and properly trained. I’ve worked cases where trucking companies put people behind the wheel who had no business driving heavy equipment, sometimes with barely more than a short driving test and a warm body. If this dump truck was hauling a trailer, that introduces additional handling and maneuvering concerns, which makes training all the more critical.

At this point, no one should assume who’s at fault. The truth will depend on what the evidence shows. But if past experience is any guide, getting to the bottom of what happened will take more than just an accident report.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear from current reports how the dump truck and sedan ended up colliding, or who had the right of way.
• Depending on the truck’s position and movement, different legal issues may apply, ranging from visibility to intersection control.
• Key evidence includes ECM data, dash cams, cell records and the truck driver’s employment and training history.
• Thorough investigation is essential to determine if this was the result of driver error, company oversight or a combination of both.
• No conclusions about fault should be made until all the facts are known.