Livingston Parish, LA — April 26, 2025, Steven Lockwood was killed following a truck accident at approximately 5:00 p.m. along Interstate Highway 12.

According to authorities, 70-year-old Steven Lockwood was traveling in a westbound Ford Transit van on I.H. 12 in the vicinity west of S.H. 441 when the accident took place.

Traffic in the area was apparently slowing at the time. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the van collided with the rear-end of a Kenworth 18-wheeler that had been slowing for the traffic conditions.

Lockwood reportedly suffered fatal injuries due to the collision and was declared deceased at the scene. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In my experience, when a fatal collision occurs between a van and the rear-end of a slowing 18-wheeler, it’s rarely as simple as labeling it a case of following too closely. The dynamics of these crashes demand a closer examination of how the commercial truck was operating, how visible it was to approaching traffic, and whether all reasonable steps were taken to prevent exactly this kind of outcome.

When traffic slows unexpectedly on a highway, commercial trucks have a duty not just to slow safely, but also to make themselves as visible as possible to approaching drivers. That means ensuring brake lights are fully operational, reflective markings are intact, and that the truck’s position on the roadway is predictable and lawful. A large trailer that slows without proper warning—or one that blends too easily into the surrounding environment—can leave following drivers with little or no time to react, even if they’re paying close attention.

If the Kenworth was operating under a commercial carrier, the investigation must also look into that company's role. Was the truck properly maintained, particularly in areas critical to visibility and braking performance? Was the driver following safe practices for deceleration in heavy traffic, giving ample warning to others? And was the vehicle operating in a manner appropriate for the traffic conditions at the time? These questions aren’t academic—they often reveal whether what seems like a simple rear-end collision was, in fact, a preventable event.

From where I sit, when a driver loses their life in a rear-end crash with a slowing commercial truck, it demands a full and serious investigation. Only by examining every contributing factor—from mechanical condition to driver behavior to company oversight—can the right parties be held accountable and those affected by the wreck receive the clarity and closure they deserve.