George County, MS — March 16, 2025, Kinh Chau was killed and Dana Chau and Ana Phu were injured in a truck accident at about 6:45 a.m. on U.S. Route 98.

Authorities said a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed into a 2018 Freightliner semi-truck while both vehicles were headed east.

Texas resident Kinh Chau, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. Passengers Dana Chau, 18, and Ana Phu, 58, were hospitalized with undisclosed injuries.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes where a passenger vehicle collides with the rear of a semi-truck raise serious concerns about visibility, following distance, and whether the truck was operating safely. In this case, reports indicate that a Jeep Grand Cherokee struck a Freightliner semi-truck while both were traveling east on U.S. Route 98, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver inattention, poor visibility or another contributing factor.

One of the first questions investigators should answer is whether the Jeep driver had enough time to react to the truck ahead. Was the truck moving at a significantly lower speed, or did the Jeep driver fail to notice the vehicle in time? Reviewing black box data, skid marks and any available dashcam footage could help clarify whether distraction, fatigue or another issue prevented the driver from slowing down.

Another key factor is whether the truck was properly marked and visible. Large commercial vehicles, especially at night or in low-light conditions, can be difficult to see if their lights or reflective markings are inadequate. Was the truck using its required lights and reflective tape? If poor visibility played a role, investigators should examine whether better markings or lighting improvements could have helped prevent the crash.

Speed and road conditions should also be considered. If the Jeep was traveling at highway speeds and the truck was moving significantly slower, the closing distance may have left little room to react. Was traffic congested, or were there environmental factors, such as fog or glare, that could have made it harder to judge distance? If external conditions contributed, authorities should determine whether additional safety measures, such as better highway lighting or warning signs, are necessary.

At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on the collision without investigating why the Jeep driver was unable to stop in time — whether due to distraction, poor visibility or the truck’s speed — they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong.