Timonium, MD — February 3, 2023, two people died in a fiery collision with a semi-truck on Interstate 83 in Timonium.

Authorities say the incident happened shortly before 2:40 a.m. along northbound I-83 near the Padonia exit. Preliminary investigation suggests a Kia Optima was traveling on the roadway when it went out of control for unknown reasons. It veered onto the right shoulder where it collided with a semi-tractor. After the impact the car caught fire.

The Kia's two occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was unhurt.

No further information is currently available.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

One of the biggest mistakes I see after the release of "breaking" news about an accident is thinking those reports have everything there is to know. A few vague sentences rushed out by the press are seldom if ever the whole story, and so soon after the crash it's unlikely that authorities have conducted a full and careful investigation. It's always important to reserve judgment and let only facts, not assumptions or speculation, tell the story—and it seems there are still many of those facts left to learn.

For example: Why did the Kia go out of control? Could it have malfunctioned or blown a tire? Did it lost traction on ice or other road hazards? How were light conditions and visibility? Furthermore, why was the truck on the shoulder? Was it disabled somehow, or did the driver stop for other reasons? Did they put out cones or reflective triangles? How long was the truck there before the car came along?

I don't want to complicate things, but I think most would agree it's important to know the whole story. The public may not be entitled to all the specifics, but surely the people who lost loved ones in that crash deserve every available fact. I hope authorities agree and get them real answers.