Sevierville, TN — March 10, 2025, Charles Cox was killed in a truck accident at about 2:30 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 40 at Exit 407.

Authorities said a Toyota Tacoma crashed into a semi-truck parked on the right shoulder of the interstate. The truck was parked so the driver could get some rest.

Toyota driver Charles A. Cox, 28, of Knoxville died in the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Sevier County crash at this time. The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

Crashes where a vehicle collides with a parked semi-truck on the shoulder raise serious concerns about visibility, driver awareness and whether the truck was legally and safely positioned. In this case, reports indicate that a Toyota Tacoma struck a semi-truck that was parked on the shoulder so the driver could rest. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver inattention, poor lighting or whether the truck’s location created an unavoidable hazard.

One of the first questions investigators should answer is whether the semi-truck was parked safely and legally. Federal regulations require truck drivers to use designated rest areas or truck stops whenever possible rather than stopping on the shoulder. If the truck had to pull over, were its hazard lights activated, and was it positioned in a way that minimized the risk of a collision? If poor parking practices played a role, that should be examined closely.

Investigators should also consider whether road conditions contributed to the crash. Was the shoulder wide enough for a semi-truck to park without encroaching on the travel lane? Were there any curves, obstructions or environmental factors like fog that may have reduced visibility? If the roadway itself contributed to the crash, that should be part of the investigation.

At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on who hit whom without investigating why the truck was parked there and whether the Toyota driver had enough time to react, they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong.