Hill City, KS — January 23, 2025, Jeremiah Bell and Gregory Burger were killed in a truck accident at about 12:05 p.m. on U.S. Route 24.

Authorities said a 2000 Nissan Frontier was headed west when it crashed head-on with a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck about five miles west of Hill City.

Both drivers, who were not wearing seat belts, died in the crash, according to authorities. Jeremiah Lacey Bell, 41, was driving the pickup, while Gregory Chad Burger, 54, was driving the semi.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time.

The Graham County crash is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves a head-on collision between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck, it’s important to take a step back and think critically about what could have caused such an accident. While the limited information provided suggests the crash may have involved driver error, my experience tells me that there’s often more to the story than what’s apparent at first glance.

The key question here is: What caused these two vehicles to collide head-on? Head-on crashes are particularly violent, and they don’t typically happen without a significant failure somewhere along the line. Whether that failure was due to driver actions, mechanical issues or even external factors like road conditions or visibility, a proper investigation must explore all possibilities.

For instance, was either driver distracted or fatigued at the time of the crash? Investigators should examine cell phone records, electronic control module (ECM) data from the semi-truck, and any available traffic or dashcam footage to determine whether distraction or inattention contributed to the collision. Fatigue, especially on the part of the semi-truck driver, should also be considered given the demands of long-haul trucking.

Additionally, the mechanical condition of both vehicles must be evaluated. Did a tire blowout or steering failure cause one vehicle to veer into the other’s lane? This sort of mechanical failure could point to issues with maintenance or even a defect in the vehicle. With proper forensic investigation, these possibilities can be ruled in or out.

It’s also worth noting that seat belts weren’t worn by either driver. While this doesn’t explain the crash itself, it does raise questions about how the crash unfolded. In many cases, seat belts can prevent fatalities, but it’s unclear whether their use would have made a difference here given the force involved in head-on collisions.

Finally, there’s the matter of the road itself. Was the crash site prone to accidents due to poor signage, narrow lanes or other design flaws? Were weather or lighting conditions a factor? These questions are important because they can help determine whether external factors played a role in setting the stage for the crash.

Ultimately, the only way to get a full understanding of this crash is through a thorough, independent investigation. That means going beyond the crash scene to gather evidence and assess whether there was any negligence, whether by one of the drivers, a trucking company or another party responsible for maintaining safe conditions on the road. Until all the evidence is reviewed, it’s impossible to say what truly caused this loss of life.