Montour County, PA — February 14, 2025, Efrain Martinez-Vargas was killed and two others were injured in a truck accident at about 2:24 a.m. on Interstate 80.

Authorities said a box truck caught fire after it crashed into a semi-truck whose trailer slid sideways after hitting a patch of ice near Danville. It was part of a multi-vehicle crash that involved 16 vehicles.

Box truck driver Efrain Martinez-Vargas, 48, died in the crash near mile marker 218, according to authorities.

Two other people suffered serious injuries in the crash, authorities said.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Multi-vehicle crashes on icy highways are always complex, but when a truck jackknifes and blocks the road, the consequences can be especially severe. In this case, the critical question is: Was the semi-truck's loss of control truly unavoidable, or was it the result of preventable factors?

Driving on ice is always a challenge, but professional truck drivers are expected to adjust their speed and handling to match road conditions. Investigators should be looking into whether the truck was traveling too fast for the icy conditions or if the driver braked improperly, causing the trailer to slide sideways. Black box data and any available dashcam footage could provide valuable insight into what happened in the moments before the crash.

Beyond that, it’s worth considering whether the semi-truck was properly maintained. Worn-out tires or poorly adjusted brakes can make it much harder to maintain control on slick roads. A full mechanical inspection of the truck should be conducted to rule out any equipment failures.

The fire that followed also raises concerns. While high-impact crashes can sometimes result in fires, I’ve handled cases where a vehicle’s design or maintenance played a role in making a fire worse than it should have been. Investigators should determine whether the fire was an unavoidable consequence of the crash or if mechanical failures or fuel system vulnerabilities made the situation even more dangerous.

With so many vehicles involved, it’s easy to focus on the pileup itself rather than the events that led up to it. But real accountability requires looking beyond the immediate wreckage to determine whether negligence — by drivers, trucking companies or even vehicle manufacturers — played a role. The only way to get those answers is through a full and thorough investigation.