Lawrence, NY — June 19, 2025, One person was killed following an 18-Wheeler Accident that occurred Thursday afternoon on County Road 54.
According to reports, a Chevy Equinox operated by Jerry Flanders was traveling on County Road 54 in the eastbound lanes, when the Chevy reportedly failed to yield the right-of-way and struck an oncoming 18-wheeler on southbound County Road 55.
When first responders arrived on the scene they found Flanders fatally injured and he was pronounced deceased, while the Tow Truck driver did not appear to have sustained injuries. Authorities have not released a possible cause for the accident.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a smaller passenger vehicle like a Chevy Equinox collides with an oncoming 18-wheeler at an intersection, one of the first things people want to know is: What exactly went wrong at the crossing? Reports say the Equinox failed to yield, but that alone doesn’t explain why the crash happened—or whether something could have prevented it.
For starters, what were the sightlines like at the intersection? In many rural areas, intersections can be obstructed by overgrown brush, poorly placed signs, or even dips in the road. If the driver of the Equinox couldn’t see the approaching truck—or misjudged its speed—those details matter a lot when determining responsibility.
It’s also important to clarify whether this was a controlled intersection. Were there stop signs, yield signs, or traffic signals? And were those signs visible and in good condition? A missing or obscured sign could drastically alter how we understand what happened. The same is true for road markings. If lane stripes or stop bars were faded, it could contribute to confusion or hesitation on the part of the driver.
We also don’t know how fast the 18-wheeler was going. While it may have had the right-of-way, large trucks require longer stopping distances and have limited maneuverability. If speed was a factor, it won’t necessarily shift all the blame, but it could change how fault is divided.
Another point worth looking into is whether either vehicle had a dash cam. In my experience, dash cams often tell a very different story from what’s first assumed. They can confirm whether one vehicle blew through a stop sign or whether another appeared suddenly due to a blind curve or obstruction.
Right now, we’re working with a very basic description of events. Until investigators review physical evidence from the scene—tire marks, camera footage, and vehicle data—it’s premature to draw conclusions. Failing to yield is a serious issue, but that doesn’t mean it was a simple mistake without contributing factors.
Key Takeaways:
- The exact traffic control setup at the intersection—signs, signals, and sightlines—needs to be reviewed to understand the crash dynamics.
- Visibility and speed on both roads may have played a role in how the crash unfolded.
- Dash cam or black box data could provide crucial insight into timing, positioning, and decision-making by both drivers.
- Even if one vehicle failed to yield, other contributing factors—like poor road design or excessive speed—may still be relevant.
- Comprehensive investigation is necessary to determine whether this was a clear right-of-way violation or a more complex interaction.
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