Louisville, KY — January 24, 2025, Michael Janes was killed and another person was injured in a truck accident at about 4:40 p.m. at River Road and Frankfort Avenue.

Authorities said a vehicle was headed west on River Road when its driver apparently lost control for an unknown reason. It hit a commercial vehicle that had been turning left onto Frankfort Avenue, then crash into another vehicle when it veered into oncoming traffic.

Michael Janes, 39, died after being transported to a local hospital, authorities said.

The woman who was driving the eastbound vehicle was hospitalized with injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening, authorities said.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the initial crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash where one vehicle loses control and veers into oncoming traffic, the first question that comes to mind is, "What caused the initial loss of control?" While some may see this as an unfortunate accident without any larger implications, my experience has shown me that crashes like this rarely happen without underlying factors that demand investigation.

One potential area of inquiry is the condition of the westbound vehicle itself. Mechanical issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts or steering problems are known causes of loss of control. A thorough inspection of the vehicle is necessary to determine whether a defect or lack of maintenance played a role. For example, if the vehicle’s brakes had been neglected or improperly maintained, liability could extend beyond the driver to a repair shop or even the manufacturer.

Another key issue is the roadway environment. Was the pavement slick due to recent weather? Were there design issues, such as poor signage or a lack of adequate lighting, that contributed to the driver’s inability to maintain control? In many cases, crashes occur because road conditions fail to account for common hazards, leaving drivers with little margin for error.

It’s equally important to consider the role of the commercial vehicle that was turning left onto Frankfort Avenue. Left-turn accidents involving large trucks can be especially dangerous, as their size and slow maneuvering often create substantial hazards for other motorists. Did the truck driver make the turn at an unsafe time, or did the westbound vehicle’s loss of control create a situation the truck driver couldn’t reasonably avoid? Without answers to these questions, we risk making assumptions about who is at fault.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is that crashes like this require investigations that go well beyond the scene itself. Authorities need to look at vehicle maintenance records, road design, traffic patterns and driver behavior to get a complete picture. Without that, it’s impossible to determine not just who is accountable for this crash.