Muskogee, OK — December 25, 2025, a boy was injured in a truck accident at about 3:30 p.m. in the 23-- block of South 32nd Street/U.S. Highway 64.

Authorities said a 2019 Freightliner semi-truck rear-ended another vehicle at the intersection with West Hancock Road. The driver later admitted he had been distracted by his cell phone.

A 10-year-old Checotah boy in the other vehicle was seriously injured in the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver is facing a misdemeanor charge of inattentive driving after the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Muskogee County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear that a semi-truck rear-ended a vehicle at an intersection, especially when a child in the other vehicle was seriously hurt, the first question that comes to mind is, How could something like this happen? After all, big rigs aren’t exactly nimble. They take longer to stop, and drivers are supposed to be trained professionals. So what went wrong?

In this case, we’ve already got one piece of the puzzle: the truck driver admitted he was distracted by his cell phone. That’s not just a bad look; it’s a serious breach of duty. Truck drivers are required to follow strict rules about phone use while driving, especially when they’re operating vehicles that can easily weigh 80,000 pounds. Getting caught checking a phone isn’t just a mistake. It’s a clear sign someone wasn’t taking their responsibility seriously.

But that raises more questions: Was this a one-time lapse, or part of a pattern? What do the driver’s phone records show? Were there earlier incidents or warnings on his record? Depending on the answers, this might be a case of one bad decision, or it could point to a deeper problem with how the driver was hired, trained or supervised.

That’s why a full investigation has to go beyond the scene of the crash. It should include reviewing the truck’s engine control module (or “black box”) to determine whether the driver hit the brakes, how fast he was going and what happened in the seconds before the impact. If the truck had an in-cab camera system, and many do, then that footage could help clarify exactly when the distraction occurred and whether the driver was even looking at the road.

I’ve handled cases where truckers were allowed behind the wheel despite having prior safety violations, or where the companies who hired them cut corners in screening or training. In one instance, a driver was hired even after being fired from multiple prior jobs. It wasn’t just the driver who made bad decisions; it was also the company that gave him the keys to an 18-wheeler.

Right now, authorities say the driver is facing a misdemeanor charge. But depending on what further investigation reveals, it’s possible the legal consequences, and the responsibility, may go further than that.

Key Takeaways:

• The driver reportedly admitted to being distracted by his cell phone, which is a major safety violation for commercial drivers.
• Authorities have filed a misdemeanor charge, but it’s unclear whether further accountability will be pursued.
• Critical evidence — including phone records, ECM data and in-cab video — can help clarify exactly what happened.
• Questions remain about the driver's history and whether the trucking company exercised proper oversight.
• A thorough investigation is needed to determine not just that a crash occurred, but why, and who may ultimately be responsible.