Madison County, ID — June 29, 2025, Thomas Archibald was killed in a truck accident at about noon on State Highway 33 west of Rexburg.

Authorities said a westbound vehicle rolled into the ditch after it collided with a truck with a trailer that was turning left onto East Butte Road. The other vehicle was trying to pass the truck at the time of the crash.

The vehicle's driver, 69-year-old Thomas Ray Archibald of Rexburg, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Madison County crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary

When people read about a crash like the one on Highway 33, the first question they often ask is: Why was the car trying to pass the truck in the first place, and what made that move end in disaster? That’s the right instinct. But to get real answers, we also have to ask what the truck was doing, whether it was turning safely and what visibility conditions were like at the time.

From the limited information available, we know the pickup (or passenger vehicle) was trying to pass a truck that was turning left. Depending on how that played out, responsibility could shift dramatically. If the truck driver signaled late, began turning from the wrong lane or otherwise failed to provide clear notice of the turn, that might have set the whole crash in motion. On the other hand, if the truck was already in the process of turning and the other driver tried to pass anyway, that raises different concerns. We just don’t know enough yet to say either way.

That’s why evidence matters. A proper investigation should begin with the truck’s black box, or engine control module. That data can confirm whether the truck was slowing to make a lawful turn or possibly hesitated mid-turn. Dash cams, especially those facing both forward and into the cab, can show if the truck driver was checking mirrors, using turn signals or even distracted at the time. And cell phone records can help rule out whether either driver was on the phone during that crucial moment.

Beyond what happened in the truck itself, there are still more questions to answer. Did the trucking company provide proper route training for that particular turn? Had the driver made that turn before, and did the company evaluate the safety of executing it in a large vehicle with a trailer? These may seem like background details, but in my experience litigating truck crashes, company policies (or lack thereof) often turn out to be central to understanding who is really at fault.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear whether the truck driver signaled properly or made the turn safely.
• Black box data, dash cam footage and phone records are key to understanding what happened.
• Whether the car was passing recklessly or reacting to the truck’s actions remains unanswered.
• Trucking company policies and driver training may play an important role in assessing fault.
• Only a full investigation, not assumptions ,can determine who should be held accountable.