Delaware County, PA — May 1, 2025, two people were injured in a truck accident at about 6:30 a.m. on northbound Interstate 95/Delaware Expressway.

Authorities said a semi-truck with a car carrier trailer crashed into several other vehicles in traffic near the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester. It overturned after the collision, blocking all of the northbound lanes.

Two pregnant women were taken to the hospital after the crash with minor to moderate injuries, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Delaware County crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary

When a semi-truck hauling a car carrier crashes into multiple vehicles and overturns, especially in congested conditions near a major interchange like the Commodore Barry Bridge, the legal analysis has to focus on two main issues: speed management and situational awareness in traffic. These are fundamental responsibilities for commercial drivers, especially those operating specialty trailers like car haulers, which have a higher center of gravity and longer stopping distances.

The fact that the truck collided with several vehicles in traffic strongly suggests that the driver may not have been able to stop in time. Whether that was due to following too closely, failing to anticipate slowed traffic or simply traveling too fast for conditions, these are all potential breaches of a commercial driver’s legal duty to operate with heightened caution in known high-traffic areas.

The truck’s overturn is another significant detail. Car carriers are particularly vulnerable to rollover if the load is improperly balanced or the driver makes a sudden maneuver, such as hard braking or swerving. Investigators will need to examine the truck’s speed, how the cars were loaded and secured and whether the driver was trained and qualified to handle this type of trailer in heavy traffic.

The injuries involved, particularly to two pregnant women, further increase the stakes of the investigation. When large commercial vehicles cause crashes that result in injuries to vulnerable individuals, the law looks closely at whether all safety protocols were followed. That includes reviewing logbooks for fatigue, electronic control module (ECM) data for speed and braking inputs and potentially dashcam footage.

Ultimately, crashes like this aren't just about the moment of impact. They’re about whether a commercial driver used the space, time and visibility they had to avoid becoming part of the problem. When a loaded semi ends up on its side blocking an entire interstate, it’s a strong signal that something in that equation went wrong. And the law expects the people operating the biggest vehicles on the road to ensure that it doesn’t.