Orange County, NC — February 19, 2025, Jerolyn Wilson was killed and six others were injured in a multi-vehicle truck accident starting at 3:00 p.m. on I.H. 40.

According to authorities, 78-year-old Jerolyn Day Wilson was traveling in a westbound car on Interstate Highway 40 in the vicinity of Old N.C. Highway 86 when the accident took place.

Road conditions in the area were reportedly snowy and icy. Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, an 18-wheeler struck Wilson's car. That was apparently the beginnings of a pile-up of wrecks, the next collision reportedly taking place approximately twenty minutes after the first. A total of 53 cars were involved in crashes in that general area when everything was said and done.

Six people suffered injuries of unknown severity and were transported to local medical facilities in order to receive treatment. Wilson, however, had sustained fatal injuries in that initial wreck. Authorities have recommended charges of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding safe speed for conditions against the person who had been behind the wheel of the truck that hit Wilson's car. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler collides with a car in icy conditions, setting off a chain reaction that ultimately involves 53 vehicles, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, large-scale wrecks like this often have multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

Why did the truck strike Wilson’s car? Authorities have recommended charges for exceeding a safe speed for conditions, which suggests the truck driver failed to adjust their driving to account for the icy roads. Commercial drivers are trained to reduce speed and increase following distance in poor weather. Investigators should review speed data, braking patterns, and dashcam footage to determine whether the driver was traveling too fast to stop in time.

Did the truck’s weight and braking distance play a role? Even at moderate speeds, a fully loaded semi-truck requires significantly more stopping distance, especially on ice. Investigators should determine whether the trucker followed proper safety protocols and whether the truck’s braking system was functioning correctly. Reviewing maintenance records and the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data could provide answers.

Did the driver’s training and experience prepare them for icy conditions? Not all truck drivers are adequately trained to handle extreme weather. Some companies fail to provide refresher courses on winter driving or pressure drivers to continue working despite hazardous conditions. Investigators should review the trucking company’s training policies and hours-of-service logs to determine whether driver inexperience or fatigue played a role.

Did broader issues contribute to the crash? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly trained and that their vehicles are in safe operating condition. If a company encouraged risky driving to meet a deadline, failed to enforce winter safety policies, or neglected vehicle maintenance, those failures could be relevant in understanding why this crash happened. Investigators should review company policies, safety records, and past violations to determine whether broader issues played a role.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.