Jackson County, MO — September 17, 2025, One person was injured following a tractor accident that occurred at around 10:00 A.M. on US-24.

According to reports, an eastbound Ford Explorer was traveling on US-24 near Osage Street when it attempted to pass a New Holland tractor and struck its rear.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found the 75-year-old tractor driver seriously injured and transported him to the hospital for treatment. Officials have not released the man's identity or given an updates on the investigation's status.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Collisions between passenger vehicles and farm equipment highlight just how vulnerable slow-moving vehicles are on public roads. But when a crash like this happens, it’s important to ask whether all the right steps are being taken to fully understand how and why it occurred.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
It’s not enough to simply note that one vehicle struck another from behind. Investigators should carefully reconstruct the movements of both vehicles—mapping skid marks, measuring the Explorer’s stopping distance, and considering the driver’s actions before impact. Did the SUV driver react too late, or was there a sudden change in speed that caught them off guard? Without that kind of detail, the real sequence of events stays unclear.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When a driver fails to avoid a slower vehicle ahead, it’s natural to assume inattention. But mechanical problems—like brake failure, worn tires, or even malfunctioning driver-assist systems—could have made it impossible for the Explorer’s driver to slow down in time. Unless the SUV is inspected closely, there’s no way to rule out the possibility that the vehicle itself played a role.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern vehicles, including the Ford Explorer, often record speed, braking, and throttle data in the seconds before impact. Phones, GPS devices, and nearby cameras could also shed light on whether distraction, sudden braking, or equipment failure contributed. If investigators don’t secure this evidence quickly, an opportunity to separate speculation from fact may already be gone.

Crashes like this don’t just happen for no reason. They happen because of a chain of events—and understanding that chain requires careful work to uncover the truth rather than stopping at the obvious.

Takeaways:

• It’s unclear whether investigators fully reconstructed the Explorer’s actions before impact.
• A possible brake or equipment failure may not have been ruled out.
• Electronic crash data and digital evidence could provide critical answers if reviewed.