Harnett County, NC — November 23, 2024, Miguel Estrada Jr. was killed as the result of an 18-wheeler at around 2:44 p.m. along Highway 87.

According to preliminary details released about the crash, it took place off the corner of Highway 87 and Olivia Road, several miles northwest of Spring Lake near Sanford.

Investigators said that 23-year-old Miguel Estrada Jr. of El Paso, Texas, was in a Hyundai traveling southbound along the highway. An 18-wheeler was going northbound. Somehow, the vehicles crossed paths and collided.

Miguel Estrada reportedly died as a result of the collision. The truck driver had reportedly minor injuries. Right now, the exact cause of the crash remains unconfirmed.

Commentary

When people hear that a crash between a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler led to someone’s death, the immediate reaction is often to ask who made a mistake. But commercial vehicle accidents are rarely that simple. There are usually layers of issues that go far beyond just one driver’s actions. The real question is: What chain of events led to these vehicles colliding, and could it have been prevented?

Why Commercial Truck Crashes Are Inherently Complex

Crashes involving 18-wheelers require a different kind of scrutiny than the average fender-bender. For one, there’s the sheer size and weight of the truck. Even a small error in judgment or timing can lead to life-altering consequences. But more importantly, commercial vehicles come with a broader web of responsibility—driver, company, equipment, training, maintenance—all of which can influence what happens on the road.

Questions That Need Answers

No one can say what caused this crash until key evidence is reviewed. That includes:

• Black box data (ECM), which records speed, braking, throttle use, and other vehicle behaviors in the moments before impact.
• In-cab cameras, which can reveal if a driver was focused on the road or dealing with a distraction.
• Cell phone records, to determine if a call or text may have been a factor.
• Driver logs, to confirm how long each driver had been on the road and whether fatigue could be an issue.
• Scene evidence, such as skid marks, impact angles, and vehicle positions.

Each of these data points helps piece together a timeline—and more importantly, helps determine whether what happened was a result of human error, mechanical failure, or something else entirely.

Looking Beyond Individual Drivers

One of the biggest misconceptions about truck crashes is that they’re always the result of what one person did or didn’t do. In reality, a driver’s behavior can be heavily influenced by how well they were trained, whether they were properly supervised, and what kinds of pressures they were under. Did the company screen their drivers properly? Are they monitoring for fatigue and distraction? Are their trucks maintained regularly and thoroughly?

In my experience, many crashes that appear to be caused by a driver’s mistake turn out to involve deeper problems once the full story comes out. That’s why any investigation worth its salt has to look at the bigger picture.

Key Takeaways

• Commercial truck crashes are rarely caused by a single factor—they involve multiple layers of responsibility and risk.
• Critical evidence like ECM data, dash cam footage, and driver logs must be reviewed to understand what happened.
• It’s not yet clear which vehicle crossed the center line or why, and speculation without evidence is premature.
• Trucking companies may have indirect roles through hiring, training, or equipment oversight.
• A thorough investigation is essential to uncover all contributing factors and ensure accountability rests where it belongs.