Pasco, WA — January 29, 2025, Erick Wommack was killed in a truck accident at about 8:40 a.m. on U.S. Route 12 at Sacajawea Park Road.

Authorities said a Ford Ranger was heading west on the highway when it was hit by a semi-truck crossing Sacajawea Park Road to Tank Farm Road.

Ford driver Eric Wommack, 63, died in the crash, which forced his vehicle to roll into the median, according to authorities. The truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Garfield County crash, but a preliminary investigation indicates heavy fog may have been a significant factor.

The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash where a semi-truck was crossing a highway and another vehicle collided with it, the first thing that comes to mind is whether the truck driver had enough visibility to safely make that crossing. Many people might assume this is a simple failure to yield, but in my experience, these kinds of crashes often involve more complex issues, especially when fog is mentioned as a factor.

One of the first questions an investigation should answer is how heavy the fog was at the time of the crash. If visibility was significantly reduced, then the truck driver may not have been able to see oncoming traffic clearly. But that raises another question: If conditions were that bad, was it safe for the truck driver to proceed across the highway at all? Professional drivers are trained to adjust their driving to account for poor visibility. That means waiting until they can clearly see their path or, if necessary, finding an alternative way to cross safely.

Another key factor is whether the truck had the proper lighting and reflective markings for low-visibility conditions. I’ve litigated cases where poor lighting on a trailer in foggy conditions made it almost impossible for an approaching driver to recognize a truck in time to avoid a crash. Commercial trucks are required to have functioning lights and reflectors, but in some cases, those aren’t properly maintained or turned on when needed. If that turns out to be an issue here, then the responsibility for this crash may not lie solely with the truck driver, but also with the company that put the truck on the road in less-than-safe condition.

Surveillance footage, dashcam videos and electronic data from the truck can all help paint a clearer picture of what happened. Authorities will also need to consider whether the driver followed proper procedures before attempting to cross the highway. Trucking companies often have policies that require drivers to come to a complete stop and ensure the roadway is clear before proceeding. If the driver rushed the crossing without confirming it was safe, that could point to negligence.

At this point, the only thing that’s clear is that a thorough investigation is needed. While heavy fog might have played a role, it’s not enough to say, “The weather caused this crash.” The real question is whether all proper precautions were taken given the conditions. If they weren’t, then it’s not just bad luck: it’s a failure to drive safely, and that has serious consequences.