Charleston, SC — May 28, 2025, at least one person was injured in a truck accident at approximately 10:00 a.m. along Meeting Street.

According to authorities, the accident took place on Meeting Street in the vicinity of the Discher Street intersection.

Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision took place between a sedan and the flatbed trailer of an 18-wheeler. Preliminary reports state that there were injuries due to the accident, though the number of people hurt and the severity of those injuries remain unclear.

Photographs of the scene which have been published in the news depict the black sedan with its front-left side wedged beneath the flatbed trailer. Additional information pertaining to this incident—including the identity(s) of the victim(s)—is not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone reads that a sedan ended up wedged under a flatbed trailer, the immediate question that comes to mind is: How did that happen? And more importantly, why? Right now, there are very few public details about the crash on Meeting Street, which makes it hard to say who’s at fault. But what we do know raises serious concerns that need to be investigated thoroughly.

What the Evidence Should Tell Us

One of the first things investigators should do is determine whether the 18-wheeler was moving at the time of the crash, or if it was stopped—possibly sticking out into the road or turning awkwardly across a lane. That distinction alone could completely change the way we understand what happened. Was the truck blocking traffic unlawfully? Did the sedan driver fail to notice the trailer in time? These questions can’t be answered without hard evidence.

I’ve worked on many cases involving underride collisions—when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a trailer. Often, these crashes are made worse because the trailer is difficult to see, especially from certain angles or in certain lighting conditions. Some trailers lack proper lighting or reflective markings. Others are left protruding into lanes of traffic during deliveries or turns, which is incredibly dangerous.

That’s why black box data from the truck is so important. It can show how fast the truck was going, when it braked, and whether the driver made any sudden maneuvers. In-cab cameras, if they were present, could provide visual context about the moments before the crash. Investigators should also pull the truck driver’s cell phone records to see if they were distracted at the time.

A Look Behind the Curtain

Depending on whether the truck was stopped or moving, the liability picture changes. If the flatbed was parked illegally or taking up more of the road than it should’ve been, that’s a serious problem. But if the truck was making a legal turn and the sedan failed to yield, other explanations come into play. Again, we just don’t know yet.

And we can’t stop with the crash scene. What about the company that owns the truck? Do they properly train their drivers? Do they have policies in place to keep unsafe drivers off the road? In one case I handled, a driver caused a serious crash and it turned out the company had hired them despite multiple previous firings for poor driving. Their idea of a “driver skills test” was a quick lap around a parking lot. That’s not how you keep the public safe.

Right now, it’s not clear whether this was a case of driver error, poor visibility, or something else entirely. But it’s exactly because the facts are uncertain that a thorough investigation is needed—one that doesn't just rely on police reports but digs into data, company records, and physical evidence.

Key Takeaways

• It’s unclear whether the 18-wheeler was moving or stationary at the time of the crash—this is a key unanswered question.
• Black box data, in-cab cameras, and cell phone records could help clarify the truck driver's actions before the collision.
• Investigators should examine whether the trailer was legally positioned and properly marked to avoid underride risks.
• Trucking company policies and the driver’s employment history should also be scrutinized for potential contributing factors.
• Getting to the truth means going beyond surface-level details and letting the evidence speak for itself.