Butler County, AL — January 21, 2025, Thaddeus Richardson was killed and a child was injured in a truck accident just before noon on Interstate 65.

Authorities said a 2014 Ford Mustang was stopped near mile marker 122 after being involved in an earlier accident when it was hit by a pickup that had been rear-ended by a semi-truck. The semi also hit another semi-truck and was rear-ended by an SUV.

The driver of the Mustang, Thaddeus Richardson Jr., 34, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. A 1-year-old child in the car was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the series of crashes south of Greenville. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

A crash like this, where multiple vehicles collide in a chain reaction, raises important questions about what set the sequence of events in motion. While the report indicates that the semi-truck struck a pickup, which then hit the stopped Mustang, the key issue is whether the truck driver had enough time and distance to avoid the initial impact, or if driver error, vehicle condition or external factors played a role.

Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks often come down to speed, following distance and braking ability. Semi-trucks require significantly more stopping distance than smaller vehicles, particularly at highway speeds. Investigators should determine whether the truck driver was maintaining a safe following distance and traveling at an appropriate speed for the conditions. If the truck driver was distracted, fatigued or otherwise not paying full attention, that could explain why they failed to stop in time.

Another critical factor is road and traffic conditions. Was there congestion, poor visibility or sudden braking ahead that contributed to the truck’s inability to stop? Given that the Mustang was already stopped from a previous accident, investigators should also determine whether proper hazard lights or warnings were in place to alert oncoming drivers.

The role of the trucking company should also be considered. Did the company enforce safe driving policies, such as requiring drivers to maintain safe distances and follow hours-of-service regulations? Was the truck properly maintained, with fully functional brakes and tires? Reviewing the truck’s electronic control module (ECM) data could help establish how fast the truck was going and whether the driver attempted to brake before impact.

Crashes like this illustrate how a single misjudgment or lapse in attention can quickly escalate when commercial trucks are involved. A thorough investigation should examine every contributing factor — from the truck driver’s actions to the condition of the vehicles and the roadway — to determine what went wrong.