Update (July 17, 2025): Authorities have identified the driver killed in this accident at David Dewey, 37.

Dane County, WI — July 14, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 5:45 a.m. on Interstate 90 east of Stoughton.

Authorities said a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer was heading north near U.S. Route 51 when it crashed into a Freightliner semi-truck that was stopped on the right shoulder.

The SUV driver, a 37-year-old Janesville man whose name has not been made public yet, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Dane County crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a fatal crash involving a stopped 18-wheeler on the shoulder, the first question that comes to mind is often: Why was the truck there in the first place? And that's exactly what isn't clear from the available information in this case.

We know the SUV hit the back of a semi-truck that was stopped on the right shoulder of I-90 east of Stoughton. What we don't know is why the truck was stopped, whether it had been there for minutes or hours or if the truck driver took any steps to alert approaching drivers to its presence. Depending on the answers, the legal implications can shift dramatically.

If the truck broke down unexpectedly, the law generally requires the driver to activate hazard lights and place warning triangles or flares within a specific time window. If they failed to do that, or did so incorrectly, that could play a major role in determining liability. On the other hand, if the SUV driver drifted out of the travel lane and struck a properly parked truck, the analysis changes.

Unfortunately, without details like dash cam footage, black box data or witness statements, there’s no way to tell what actually happened. Was the truck partially in the travel lane? Was visibility a factor at that early morning hour? Had the SUV driver been up all night? All of these are fair questions, but none can be answered yet.

In a case I handled a few years back, a trucker pulled onto the shoulder to check a tire issue but failed to follow proper safety procedures. He didn’t put out reflective triangles, and the rear of his trailer stuck into the lane by just a couple feet. A driver hit that protruding corner in the dark, and that minor mistake turned out to be the key detail in the case. That’s why small facts matter.

Even if the SUV driver made a mistake, that doesn’t mean others didn’t contribute to the crash. Responsibility isn’t about assigning blame to just one party; it’s about getting a full picture of what actually happened and holding all responsible parties accountable based on the evidence.

Key Takeaways:

• It's unclear why the semi-truck was stopped on the shoulder or whether proper safety measures were in place.
• Key evidence — such as black box data, hazard light usage and triangle placement — will be critical to understanding the crash.
• The SUV driver’s actions may not be the only factor; fault could be shared depending on what an investigation reveals.
• Even a few feet of trailer over the line or a missed safety step can have major legal consequences.
• Getting to the truth requires more than assumptions; it demands a thorough, evidence-based investigation.