Update (January 22, 2026): Authorities have identified the man who was killed in this accident as Richard Newlin, 52, of Indianapolis.

Tippecanoe County, IN — January 20, 2026, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 3:45 p.m. on Interstate 65 near Battle Ground.

Authorities said a southbound 2023 Freightliner semi-truck crashed into two other trucks, a 2022 Peterbilt and a 2025 Freightliner, that were stopped or slowing for traffic near mile marker 176 after an earlier wreck.

The driver of the 2023 truck, whose name has not been made public yet, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The other two drivers were not hurt, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Tippecanoe County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When three 18-wheelers end up in a chain-reaction crash, most people want to know: Why didn’t the last truck stop in time? Was it speeding? Was the driver distracted? Or was something else going on that hasn’t come to light yet?

Based on what’s publicly known, a southbound semi crashed into the back of two other trucks that were reportedly stopped or slowing for traffic after an earlier wreck. The driver of the third truck, the one that initiated the collision, was killed at the scene. Authorities haven’t said much beyond that, but even from this limited information, there are a number of unanswered questions that need to be investigated before anyone can say with confidence what actually happened.

First, it’s not clear whether the driver who hit the others had any warning that traffic was backing up. Was there a posted sign? Was traffic at a complete stop or just slowing down? These details matter when trying to figure out whether the driver was simply going too fast, didn’t react in time or couldn’t have avoided the crash under the circumstances.

Then there’s the question of the truck’s technology. Today’s commercial trucks typically come equipped with engine control modules (ECMs), dash cams and sometimes in-cab cameras. Those tools can provide critical data on the truck’s speed, braking, throttle position and the driver’s actions in the moments before impact. If the driver was using a cell phone, for example, that’s something investigators can learn from phone records. The ECM will tell us whether the driver tried to brake or never slowed down at all.

It’s also important to look beyond the crash itself and ask whether the driver was fit to be behind the wheel in the first place. Was he properly trained? Did the trucking company do a thorough background check? I’ve handled cases where the company put a driver on the road who had no business being there, all because they cut corners during the hiring process. If that turns out to be the case here, then the company may bear more responsibility than the driver ever could.

Ultimately, this crash needs to be viewed not just as a fatal outcome, but as an event that raises serious questions about driver readiness, situational awareness and company oversight. Those questions can only be answered through a full investigation that goes well beyond the police report.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s not yet clear whether traffic was stopped or just slowing, which is critical to understanding what options the driver had to avoid the crash.
• Investigators should review ECM data, dash cam footage and cell phone records to determine what the driver was doing in the moments leading up to impact.
• The trucking company’s hiring and training practices could be a factor, especially if the driver had prior safety issues or wasn’t adequately vetted.
• Independent investigation is essential to uncover who had the power, and responsibility, to prevent this crash.
• Accountability depends on evidence, not assumptions. That evidence often lies in the truck’s technology and the company’s policies.