Macon, GA — August 5, 2025, Donnye Culbreth was killed in an early morning truck accident on eastbound Interstate 16.

Authorities said a semi-truck crashed near Coliseum Drive, shutting down all lines of the highway.

Truck driver Donnye Culbreth of Hinesville was pronounced dead at about 6:45 a.m. after being extricated from the wreckage, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Bibb County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear that a truck driver lost their life in a crash involving their own rig, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: How could that happen? Was this a single-vehicle incident where the driver lost control? Or did another vehicle’s actions set off a chain of events that ended with this fatal outcome? Without more facts, it’s impossible to say, and that’s exactly the problem.

Right now, the only confirmed details are that a semi-truck crashed on I-16 near Coliseum Drive early in the morning, and the driver was killed. No other injuries were reported, and authorities haven’t said anything about what led to the crash. That leaves a long list of unanswered questions, starting with whether this was a mechanical issue, a weather-related slide-out, a health emergency or something else entirely.

Depending on whether the truck was in motion, pulled over or even struck by another vehicle, the investigation could take many different paths. I’ve handled cases where a trucker was blamed for losing control, only to later discover that their brakes had failed due to poor maintenance. In other instances, dash cam footage revealed another driver cut across a truck’s path at the last second. Each scenario leads to very different conclusions about who is responsible.

That’s why it’s critical to secure the right evidence early. The truck’s engine control module, or “black box,” likely recorded data about speed, braking, steering and gear shifts in the moments before the crash. In-cab cameras, if installed, might show whether the driver was alert or if something sudden occurred, like a blown tire or steering failure. Cell phone records can confirm whether the driver was distracted, though it’s important not to jump to that assumption without proof.

We also have to look beyond the crash itself. What shape was the truck in? Did the company perform routine inspections? Was the driver rested and properly trained? I once handled a case where a company hired a driver who had been fired multiple times and gave her only a brief road test before putting her behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle. When that driver caused a fatal crash, the company’s hiring practices came under far more scrutiny than the driver’s moment-to-moment decisions.

Ultimately, when a truck driver is the one who dies, it’s easy for the public to assume the matter is settled. But experience shows that accountability can lie with many different parties, and it often takes a thorough investigation to uncover who really failed to uphold their responsibilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Current reports don’t explain what caused the crash or whether other vehicles were involved.
• Critical evidence may include black box data, in-cab cameras and cell phone records.
• Maintenance records and company oversight could reveal broader issues beyond the driver's actions.
• Truck accident investigations must focus on how and why a crash occurred, not just who was behind the wheel.
• Getting to the truth requires more than assumptions; it demands a careful look at every factor that might have played a role.