Denton, TX — September 19, 2025, a Richmond man was injured as the result of an 18-wheeler accident at around 4:15 p.m. on I-35.

Initial statements on the accident say that it happened near the exit for Loop 288 in northwest Denton.

Authorities said that a 67-year-old Richmond man was in a Jeep Grand Cherokee going northbound along the interstate. A tractor-trailer was going the same direction when it reported failed to control speed. As a result, a multi-vehicle crash occurred involving the Jeep, the 18-wheeler, and at least three other vehicles.

Due to the collision, the Richmond man was seriously injured. No other injuries were confirmed. At this time, additional details about the crash remain under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

People seeing a truck driver blamed for an accident may be quick to assume the path is straight-forward for the victims and families involved. A lot of the time, though, knowing what happened is just the beginning of the story. Investigations need to explain why the crash happened. That sometimes involves looking into factors that took place long before the truck driver got behind the wheel.

In a case where a truck reportedly failed to control its speed, the immediate thought is often that the driver simply wasn't paying attention. But in commercial trucking, that kind of mistake can stem from a whole chain of decisions and conditions behind the scenes. Was the driver fatigued from too many hours on the road? Were they under pressure from dispatch to meet an unrealistic schedule? Did the trucking company fail to properly screen, train, or supervise them?

From what I’ve seen throughout my career, speed-related crashes often connect to deeper employer issues—like companies rewarding fast deliveries over safe ones, or ignoring red flags in a driver’s history. These aren’t just unfortunate lapses; they’re structural problems that make wrecks more likely.

That’s why it’s often not enough to stop at a traffic citation. A full investigation should pull things like ECM data, review dispatch timelines, and examine the company's safety practices. If decisions made at the company level played a role in a serious crash, then that’s where real accountability has to start.

Key Takeaways

• A truck driver’s mistake may reflect deeper issues with scheduling, training, or supervision.
• Crashes involving speed often point to pressure from employers or poor company oversight.
• Citations tell part of the story—investigations should examine the employer’s role.
• Proper accountability means understanding not just what happened, but why.
• Victims deserve answers that go beyond surface-level blame.