Wyandot County, OH — February 19, 2026, Martin Montoya lost his life due to a pedestrian versus truck accident shortly before 10:30 p.m. along U.S. Highway 23.

According to authorities, 37-year-old Martin Montoya—a truck driver from California—had pulled his Volvo 18-wheeler over onto the southbound shoulder along U.S. 23 in the vicinity north of Township Road 103 when the accident took place. He had purportedly gotten out of the cab and was standing in front of the open access panel door.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a southbound International 18-wheeler's right sideview mirror struck both Montoya and the access panel door of the Volvo. Montoya—who had reportedly sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision—was declared deceased at the scene.

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 I read that a truck driver was standing outside his own rig on the shoulder and was struck by the mirror of a passing 18-wheeler, the first question I ask is simple: how much clearance did that passing truck actually have—and why wasn’t it enough? Shoulder incidents like this often come down to lane position and awareness.

It’s not clear how far onto the shoulder the parked Volvo was positioned. We don’t yet know whether it was fully outside the travel lane or partially encroaching. That distinction matters because it affects how much room the passing truck had as it traveled southbound.

At the same time, commercial drivers are trained to account for disabled vehicles and people on the shoulder. Federal and state “move over” laws typically require drivers to change lanes away from stopped vehicles when it is safe to do so. If a lane change wasn’t possible, the driver is expected to slow down and provide as much clearance as practicable. We don’t yet know whether the passing truck moved left, reduced speed, or maintained its lane position.

The fact that a sideview mirror made contact suggests the passing truck was very close to the shoulder line. Investigators will need to determine the exact lane position of that truck at the moment of impact. Engine control module data can show speed before the collision. If the truck was traveling at full highway speed without adjustment, that becomes significant.

Visibility is another unanswered question. It was shortly before 10:30 p.m., so lighting conditions may have been limited. Were the parked truck’s hazard lights activated? Were reflective triangles deployed? Commercial drivers are required to use warning devices when stopped on a highway shoulder. We don’t yet know whether those precautions were in place.

Physical evidence—mirror damage, paint transfer, and the position of the access panel door—will help reconstruct the angle and proximity of the passing truck. These cases often turn on inches and seconds.

When a professional driver is struck on the shoulder by another commercial vehicle, the margin for error is already thin. Determining what happened here will require a careful look at lane position, speed, visibility, and compliance with roadside safety requirements.

Key Takeaways

• The central issue is how close the passing truck was to the shoulder.
• It’s unclear whether the parked truck was fully outside the travel lane.
• “Move over” and reduced-speed requirements may be relevant.
• Black box data can clarify speed before impact.
• Visibility and roadside warning devices are key factors in shoulder crashes.