Jerome County, ID — September 23, 2023, a pedestrian was killed following a truck accident at approximately 7:30 p.m. along Interstate Highway 84.

According to authorities, a Freightliner 18-wheeler was traveling westbound on I.H. 84 in the vicinity of the exit for State Highway 50 when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials state that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Freightliner entered a closed off lane in a construction zone where it collided with a 22-year-old pedestrian. The victims suffered fatal injuries, according to reports, and was declared deceased at the scene. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a commercial truck enters a closed-off lane in a construction zone and strikes a pedestrian, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, crashes like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

Was the truck driver paying attention? Construction zones require extra caution, and drivers are responsible for following detours, lane closures, and reduced speed limits. If the truck driver entered a closed lane, investigators should determine whether they missed posted warnings, were distracted, or misjudged the lane layout. Reviewing dashcam footage, phone records, and in-cab data can help establish whether distraction played a role.

Were construction zone warnings clear and properly placed? While truck drivers are responsible for obeying road signs, poorly marked construction zones can create confusion. If signage was missing or unclear, that could be relevant to understanding how the truck ended up in a restricted area. Investigators should review work zone layouts and traffic control measures to determine whether the warnings were adequate.

Did the trucking company enforce safe driving practices? Companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are trained to handle construction zones safely. If the driver failed to follow proper procedures, investigators should examine whether the company provided adequate training and whether the driver had a history of safety violations.

Was a mechanical issue a factor? If the truck had braking problems or a steering malfunction, that could explain why the driver was unable to avoid entering the closed lane. Investigators should review maintenance records and conduct a post-crash inspection to rule out vehicle failure as a contributing factor.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.