Lucerne County, CA — April 7, 2025, Donesa Blackburn was killed in a truck accident at about 9:30 p.m. near Old Woman Springs Road and Barstow Road.

Authorities said a Chrysler 200 was headed east on Old Woman Springs Road when it crashed into a semi-truck that was going north on Barstow Road. The car ended up wedged under the truck's 50-foot trailer.

Chrysler driver Donesa Blackburn, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. The truck driver was not injured.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a car ends up wedged beneath the side of a semi-truck’s trailer, especially at night, the critical legal question is whether the truck was clearly visible, and whether the driver had time to recognize and respond to the hazard. Based on early reports, this appears to be a classic side underride collision, which is one of the deadliest types of crashes involving large commercial vehicles.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Old Woman Springs Road and Barstow Road around 9:30 p.m., a time when visibility is already limited. The car reportedly struck the side of the trailer as the truck was traveling north, suggesting that the semi may have been crossing or entering the intersection as the Chrysler approached from the east. That scenario raises immediate concerns about the visibility of the trailer and the timing of the truck’s movement.

In situations like this, investigators need to determine whether the trailer had proper reflective markings, functioning lights and enough contrast to stand out in low-light conditions. Federal regulations require that trailers be equipped with reflective tape and side marker lights to reduce the risk of exactly this kind of collision. But even when those features are present, they can be obscured by dirt, wear or poor maintenance. If the trailer blended into the dark surroundings, the driver of the Chrysler may not have seen it in time to stop.

At the same time, it’s critical to understand what the truck was doing in the intersection. Was the truck attempting a turn? Did it pull out in front of oncoming traffic? Was it moving slowly across the road without ensuring the path was clear? These actions matter, because a commercial driver has a duty to make sure an intersection is safe before proceeding, especially when crossing through the path of another vehicle.

The engine control module data from the truck can help clarify the timing and speed of its movement. Investigators should also review traffic light phasing (if any), physical evidence at the scene and potential surveillance footage from nearby sources. The goal is to determine whether the truck entered the intersection in a way that gave the Chrysler driver a reasonable opportunity to respond, or if that opportunity was never there.

Unfortunately, side underride crashes often result in fatal injuries because passenger vehicles don’t have structural protection designed to absorb impact under the side of a trailer. That makes these crashes not only more severe, but also more preventable with better visibility and safer driving practices.

The focus of this investigation should be on determining whether the truck’s presence in the intersection was reasonably detectable, and whether the driver had any realistic chance to avoid the collision. Because when a car ends up under a trailer at night, the question isn’t just who had the right of way. It’s whether one party created a hazard the other never had a fair chance to see.