Mississippi County, AR — July 6, 2025, One person was killed following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 3:48 P.M. on Interstate 55.

According to reports, a Honda CR-V operate dby Doreen Gray was traveling on Interstate 55 in the northbound lanes, when it struck a the rear of a semi that was stopped for traffic.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found Gray critically injured and she was pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported in the accident, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves a passenger vehicle rear-ending a stopped semi on the highway, people naturally wonder: How does that even happen? Was the semi stopped in a way that gave other drivers enough time to react—or was something unusual going on? At this stage, we don’t have nearly enough information to say.

According to the report, the semi was stopped for traffic on I-55 northbound when a Honda CR-V struck it from behind. That tells us very little. We don’t know how suddenly the traffic stopped, whether the truck’s brake lights were working, how long it had been stationary, or how visible it was to approaching traffic. And without those answers, we can’t rule out the possibility that the truck itself contributed to the crash.

One key question is whether the truck’s position on the road was appropriate under the circumstances. In similar cases I’ve worked, trucks have been partially blocking lanes, stopped without hazard lights, or left in spots where visibility was severely limited due to curves, hills, or weather. Those details matter. They’re the difference between a crash that’s unavoidable and one that never should have happened in the first place.

Another angle that has to be investigated is what kind of evidence the truck itself can provide. Most modern trucks are equipped with engine control modules—essentially a “black box” that records speed, braking, and throttle data. Some even have forward-facing or in-cab cameras. That kind of data could help confirm whether the truck had come to a gradual stop or a sudden one, whether it was fully in its lane, and even whether the driver had signaled or slowed appropriately.

And that leads to another piece of the puzzle: the driver’s actions. We don’t yet know whether the trucker was paying attention, using a phone, or following proper procedures when the traffic backup occurred. The only way to find out is by pulling cell phone records and examining the driver's logs. In past cases, I’ve found that inattention—even just a brief lapse—can leave a truck improperly positioned or delayed in responding to traffic, putting everyone behind them at risk.

To be clear, it may turn out that the semi was doing everything right and the Honda driver was simply unable to stop in time. But that conclusion can’t be made based on assumptions. It can only come from a proper investigation—one that considers dash cam footage, black box data, witness statements, and the truck driver’s activity in the moments leading up to the crash.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s not yet clear whether the truck was stopped safely or in a way that contributed to the crash.
• Critical evidence like black box data, dash cam footage, and cell phone records must be reviewed to determine what happened.
• The truck driver’s behavior—particularly in how they responded to slowing traffic—is a key part of the investigation.
• Visibility, brake lights, and lane position are all potential factors that need to be examined.
• Getting to the truth in a crash like this requires looking beyond assumptions and letting the evidence lead the way.