Medina County, OH — July 28, 2025, Ryan Broyles Sr. was killed and two others were injured in a truck accident at about 7:30 p.m. on Interstate 71.

Authorities said a 2020 Nissan Armada was heading south near mile marker 208 when it hydroplaned off the highway and crashed into a semi-truck parked on the shoulder.

A passenger in the Nissan, Springfield, MO, resident Ryan Broyles Sr., 41, died at the scene of the crash near Westfield Center, according to authorities.

His 41-year-old wife, who was driving, and his 20-year-old son were hospitalized with serious injuries after the crash, authorities said. His three other children, who are minors, suffered minor injuries.

The truck driver was not hurt, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Medina County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear that a vehicle hydroplaned and hit a parked semi-truck on the shoulder of a highway, it’s easy to assume it was just a matter of bad weather or bad luck. But that’s only part of the picture. A crash like this raises a deeper question that isn’t answered by the initial reports: Was that 18-wheeler legally and safely parked on the shoulder?

Here’s why that matters. In my experience handling truck crash cases, one of the most common assumptions people make is that the shoulder is always a safe place for a truck to stop. That’s not true. Federal rules and industry standards are clear that the shoulder should only be used for emergencies, and even then, there are strict requirements. Drivers are supposed to deploy reflective triangles, turn on hazard lights and make sure the truck is visible to approaching traffic. We don’t yet know if any of those safety measures were in place at the time of this crash.

It’s also unclear why the truck was on the shoulder in the first place. Was it a legitimate mechanical issue, or was the driver taking a break, checking their phone or sleeping? Depending on the reason, the legal implications can be very different. If the truck was improperly parked and created a roadside hazard, especially during wet weather when visibility and control are already compromised, that’s something investigators need to look at closely.

I've handled cases where a seemingly "parked" truck turned out to be a ticking time bomb. In one, a driver had pulled over to sleep without any warning triangles or hazard lights. The crash victim never saw the trailer until it was too late. The trucking company argued the driver had no other choice, but after we pulled the truck’s GPS data, it became clear they had passed multiple safe stops just before pulling onto the shoulder. That made all the difference.

Until we know more about why the truck was there, whether it followed safety procedures and what role those decisions played in this crash, we don’t have the full story. That’s why independent investigations matter. Without them, critical facts can stay buried.

Key Takeaways:

• It's unclear whether the parked 18-wheeler was there due to a legitimate emergency or for an improper reason.
• Trucks stopped on shoulders must follow strict safety protocols, including hazard lights and reflective triangles.
• The presence, or absence, of proper warning measures could determine whether the truck driver or company shares responsibility.
• Independent investigation of GPS data, ECM logs and dash cam footage can uncover the truth behind roadside parking decisions.
• Weather alone doesn’t excuse liability if other unsafe factors contributed to the crash.