Christian County, IL — January 9, 2026, Ronald Rockhold and Seth Bowman were injured in a truck accident just before 9 a.m. on State Route 48.

Authorities said two semi-trucks loaded with soybeans collided near Clarksdale, leaving one driver trapped in his vehicle for more than two hours.

Drivers Ronald Rockhold, 59, of Decatur and Seth Bowman, 30, of Taylorsville were hospitalized with unspecified injuries after the crash, according to authorities.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When two loaded 18-wheelers collide on a rural highway, people naturally want to know what went wrong. Was someone speeding? Did one of the trucks veer out of its lane? Were the loads properly secured? With very little information available so far, those questions remain unanswered, but they’re exactly what any serious investigation must focus on.

At this point, we don’t know whether one truck crossed into the other’s path, whether both were in motion at the time or even if road or weather conditions played a role. What we do know is that at least one driver was trapped in the wreckage for hours, suggesting a major impact. That kind of damage doesn’t typically happen without something going seriously wrong.

It’s important to remember that in a crash involving two commercial vehicles, liability isn’t just about pointing the finger at one driver. There are many potential sources of fault: Was one truck improperly loaded or overweight? Did either vehicle suffer a mechanical failure? Were the drivers fatigued or distracted? Until we have answers to those questions, it’s too early to assume who’s to blame.

The good news is that most commercial trucks are equipped with engine control modules, often called “black boxes," that log vehicle speed, braking and steering input in the seconds before a crash. Many also have dash cams and in-cab cameras that may shed light on what the drivers saw and did. Investigators should also review cell phone records and dispatch logs to determine whether either driver was distracted or under pressure to meet an unrealistic schedule.

And finally, there’s the matter of the trucking companies themselves. How well did they train their drivers? Were safety protocols in place, and followed? I’ve handled cases where poor hiring practices or slapdash safety checks played a bigger role in a crash than anything a driver did behind the wheel.

Without a full investigation, there’s no way to understand how two trucks ended up colliding so violently on a clear morning in Christian County. But with the right evidence, the story behind the crash can come into focus, and the right people can be held accountable.

Key Takeaways:

• With two semi-trucks involved, the cause of the crash isn’t yet clear, and may involve multiple factors.
• Event data recorders, dash cams and cell phone records can help determine whether driver error or mechanical issues played a role.
• Improper loading or equipment failure could also be factors in a crash involving fully loaded grain trucks.
• Trucking company practices, including training and oversight, must be examined as part of any serious investigation.
• Getting to the truth requires a thorough and independent review of all available evidence.