Sigel, IL — July 2, 2025, one person was injured following a two-truck accident at some point in the evening along Interstate Highway 57.

According to authorities, the accident took place in the northbound lanes of I.H. 57 near Sigel, Illinois.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, an 18-wheeler failed to appropriately control its speed. It was consequently involved in a collision with another 18-wheeler.

One person reportedly sustained injuries of unknown severity over the course of the accident and was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. It does not appear that anyone else was hurt.

Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When one 18-wheeler rear-ends another on the interstate, the key question is why wasn’t the trailing truck able to slow down in time? Commercial drivers are trained to maintain extended following distances for exactly this reason—because when you’re hauling up to 80,000 pounds at highway speed, stopping quickly isn’t an option. So if that distance wasn’t maintained, or if the driver wasn’t in a position to react, the investigation needs to determine why.

The most immediate concern is whether distraction or fatigue played a role. If the trailing driver wasn’t fully alert—because they were drowsy, on a phone, or otherwise occupied—then that could explain the failure to brake in time. Investigators should review in-cab camera footage (if available), cell phone records, and hours-of-service logs to assess whether the driver was compliant with rest requirements and attentive to the road.

Even if the driver was paying attention, mechanical issues can’t be ruled out. A problem with the braking system, load balance, or tires could all extend stopping distance beyond what the driver anticipated. A post-crash inspection of the vehicle will be essential to identify any performance issues that might have contributed to the crash.

I’ve worked on cases where brake wear or imbalance played a direct role in a rear-end collision. Sometimes the driver did everything right—hit the brakes, stayed in the lane, followed procedures—but the truck itself was incapable of stopping in time due to neglected maintenance. That’s why it’s not enough to ask what the driver did; we also have to ask whether the equipment they were using was in a condition to respond to the situation.

Finally, traffic conditions on I-57 at the time of the crash may offer important context. Was traffic slowing for a construction zone, lane closure, or stalled vehicle? If so, were warning signs placed early enough for truck drivers to respond safely? If traffic conditions changed abruptly, that could explain a sudden need to stop—but not necessarily excuse a failure to do so.

Key Takeaways

• The central issue is why the trailing 18-wheeler failed to maintain speed control and avoid a collision.
• Investigators should examine potential fatigue or distraction, supported by logbooks, phone data, and in-cab video.
• Mechanical factors such as worn brakes or tire issues may have limited the truck’s ability to stop in time.
• Post-crash vehicle inspections are necessary to assess the role of maintenance and equipment condition.
• Traffic flow and environmental factors—like construction zones or slowdowns—should also be reviewed to understand the lead-up to the crash.