Roxboro, NC — March 4, 2025, Jannie Lipscomb was killed and a child was injured in a truck accident at about 3 p.m. at North Main Street and Providence Road.

Authorities said a cement truck apparently ran a red light and crashed into a car that was turning from Providence Road.

The driver of the car, 77-year-old Jannie Lipscomb, died in the crash, according to authorities, while a child in her car suffered minor injuries.

The truck driver has been charged with a misdemeanor count of death by motor vehicle.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

A crash where a cement truck runs a red light and collides with a smaller vehicle is exactly the kind of situation that demands a deeper investigation. While the truck driver has already been charged, my experience handling truck accident cases tells me that the focus shouldn't stop at individual driver error. The real question is why this happened and whether there were factors beyond the driver’s actions that contributed to the crash.

One key issue investigators should consider is whether the cement truck’s brakes and other safety systems were working properly. Heavy commercial trucks, especially those carrying loads like cement, require well-maintained brakes to stop in time. If the truck’s brake system failed, was that due to mechanical failure, improper maintenance or excessive wear? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe to operate, and if they failed to do so, they could bear some responsibility for this crash.

Another factor worth examining is whether the driver was fatigued or distracted. Cement truck drivers often work long hours under tight schedules, which can lead to exhaustion or rushed driving. Was the driver pressured to meet a delivery deadline? Was there in-cab footage or phone records showing whether distraction played a role? Investigators should review these details rather than assuming this was just a simple mistake.

Beyond that, the intersection itself should be analyzed. Was there proper signage and visibility for both drivers? Were traffic signals working as they should? If this area has a history of collisions, it could point to a larger safety issue that needs to be addressed.

While the truck driver has been charged, a thorough investigation should go beyond the immediate circumstances of the crash. If mechanical failure, poor maintenance or unrealistic company demands played a role, those responsible should be held accountable, not just the driver behind the wheel.