West Bridgewater, MA — November 16, 2025, Carlos Monteiro was killed in a truck accident at about 7 a.m. on State Route 24.

Authorities said a southbound passenger car collided with a semi-truck near Exit 28.

The driver of the car, 33-year-old Taunton resident Carlos Monteiro, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Based on the initial reports, it’s not yet clear how or why this crash between a car and a semi-truck happened. Authorities say the collision occurred on Route 24 near Exit 28, but beyond that, we’re left with more questions than answers. Was the truck moving at the time of the crash, or was it stopped? Did either vehicle make an unexpected maneuver? Was visibility a factor at 7 a.m. in mid-November? We don’t know yet, and until we do, assigning blame is premature.

When someone loses their life in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, it's critical to understand exactly how that came to be. These aren't ordinary wrecks. A commercial truck brings a level of danger that goes far beyond what most people encounter in their daily drives. That’s why the law holds trucking companies and their drivers to a higher standard. But to hold anyone accountable, there first has to be a thorough investigation.

That starts with gathering data from the truck itself. Was it equipped with an engine control module, a sort of “black box” that records speed, braking and other key information? If so, what does that data show in the moments leading up to the crash? Did the truck have dash cams or in-cab cameras, which are becoming more common? What about the driver: was he using a cell phone? Was he fatigued? These are not just hypotheticals. They're the questions that help separate accident from negligence.

Beyond the cab, there's the company. What kind of hiring policies are in place? Were the driver’s qualifications and driving history properly vetted? I’ve worked on cases where a driver was hired despite multiple prior firings, one of whom was put behind the wheel after only a 20-minute driving test. That kind of negligence doesn't show up in a crash report, but it often plays a major role in why a crash happened in the first place.

Right now, the official version of events is missing critical details. It’s not even clear whether the passenger car struck the truck or the truck struck the car. That distinction matters, because it determines where we focus our attention. If the car ran into a stopped truck, was the truck parked legally and visibly? If the truck moved into the car’s path, what caused that maneuver? Was it mechanical error, driver distraction or something else?

Until those questions are answered, what we have isn’t a conclusion. It’s a mystery. And like any mystery, it demands evidence, not assumptions.

Key Takeaways:

• Reports so far don’t clarify whether the truck or the car initiated the crash, an essential fact for determining liability.
• Critical evidence like black box data, dash cam footage and cell phone records will be key to understanding what happened.
• Questions remain about the truck driver’s behavior and the trucking company’s hiring and oversight policies.
• Determining accountability in crashes involving 18-wheelers often requires investigation far beyond the crash scene.
• Without these details, it's impossible to say who is at fault or whether the crash could have been prevented.