Adams County, WA — November 20, 2025, Matthew Cunnington was killed in a truck accident at about 11 a.m. on State Route 26 west of Washtucna.

Authorities said a pickup was heading south on Marcellus Road when it collided with a westbound semi-truck.

Pickup driver Matthew Cunnington, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When folks hear that a pickup collided with a semi-truck at an intersection, the first question that usually comes up is, “How did these two vehicles end up in the same place at the same time?” That’s not just casual curiosity. It’s the question that determines who’s responsible.

From what’s been reported so far, a pickup was traveling south on Marcellus Road and collided with a westbound 18-wheeler on State Route 26. What’s not clear is which vehicle entered the intersection out of turn, or if either had a stop sign or other traffic control. Without that detail, we’re left with a lot of unanswered questions.

Depending on the layout of the intersection and the right-of-way rules, the blame could fall on either driver. Did the pickup pull out in front of the truck? Or did the truck driver fail to yield or react in time? Those aren't things we can settle based on early news reports.

That’s where a proper investigation comes in. It should start by examining the truck’s engine control module, what’s often called the black box. That data can show whether the truck braked, accelerated or swerved just before impact. In-cab cameras, if they exist, might shed light on what the driver saw—or didn’t see. Cell phone records could answer whether either driver was distracted at the time.

Beyond the drivers themselves, there’s another layer that often gets overlooked: the role of the trucking company. Did they hire a driver with a clean safety record? Do they have clear procedures for route planning and training? I’ve handled cases where a company put an underqualified driver behind the wheel and someone else paid the price. It’s not just about the crash. It’s about what decisions were made long before the truck ever got to that intersection.

Without a thorough look at all the evidence, it’s impossible to say who should be held accountable. But I’ve been doing this long enough to know that many crashes that look like “accidents” from the outside turn out to be the result of preventable mistakes, if someone’s willing to dig deep enough to find them.

Key Takeaways:

• The available reports don’t clarify who had the right-of-way or how the two vehicles ended up colliding at the intersection.
• Critical evidence — including black box data, in-cab video and cell phone records — can help determine fault.
• The trucking company’s hiring and training practices may also play a role and should be scrutinized.
• Thorough investigation is essential to ensure that the right party is held accountable, not just the most obvious one.
• Until more facts come out, it’s premature to assume who caused the crash.