Southern Pines, NC — May 12, 2025, one person was injured in a multi-vehicle truck accident shortly before 5:30 p.m. along U.S. Highway 1.

According to authorities, the accident took place in the southbound lanes of U.S. 1 in the vicinity of Air Tool Drive.

Details surrounding the accident remain unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision took place between two Jeeps and an 18-wheeler. One person who had been involved in the wreck sustained injuries of unknown severity, though they were describes as non-life-threatening. They were transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional information pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—is not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Any time a collision involves multiple passenger vehicles and an 18-wheeler, even if the reported injuries are non-life-threatening, it raises important legal questions about how the crash occurred and whether it could have been prevented. In my 30 years of handling commercial vehicle cases, I’ve found that even seemingly “minor” truck crashes often reveal deeper failures in driver behavior, equipment maintenance, or company oversight that, under slightly different circumstances, could have ended far worse.

At this stage, details remain limited, but we do know the crash involved two Jeeps and an 18-wheeler. That combination suggests the possibility of lane merging, sudden braking, or a misjudged turn—scenarios that happen frequently on busy corridors like U.S. Highway 1. The key legal issue here is whether the 18-wheeler was being operated in a way that accounted for the limitations of the vehicles around it. Commercial drivers are trained to maintain safe following distances, check their mirrors before changing lanes, and avoid aggressive or abrupt maneuvers. When they don’t, even a single bad decision can sweep up multiple vehicles.

It’s also worth examining how the vehicles came into conflict. Was the truck driver distracted, fatigued, or speeding? Were there any visibility issues that played a role? These factors can be especially relevant in late afternoon traffic when sun glare, heavy congestion, and routine commuter frustration make the road more unpredictable.

If the truck was part of a commercial fleet—as most 18-wheelers are—then the role of the trucking company must also be considered. Was the driver adequately trained for congested highway driving? Was the truck’s equipment—particularly its brakes, tires, and mirrors—properly maintained? Was the company monitoring the driver's hours and ensuring they were fit to be on the road? I’ve seen companies prioritize delivery speed or route efficiency over safety, often with real consequences for the people their vehicles share the road with.

Getting to the bottom of a crash like this means asking the right questions and refusing to stop at surface-level explanations. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Understanding how the crash happened, whether the truck was operated responsibly, and whether the company met its obligations is key to figuring out what might have happened. Getting clear answers to these questions is the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.